10 Years: On the Soap Box Again

Everyone easily remembers where they were that day and what happened. And today, 10 years later, we recall the event, attend ceremonies, and watch tributes on TV, sporting event tributes as well.

Tributes are nice, but I struggle with how to react to those. On one hand, it's nice folks take the time out of their busy Sunday at the football game, where they paid a lot of money to see a bunch of guys who get paid LOTS of money to play a game, and idolize them along the way. I stole a post about this a couple of months ago, about how we are paying tribute to the wrong heroes. Kids today aspire to be sports stars, reality TV 'heroes,' celebrities. My point is while these ceremonies are nice, they are still about us and our self-centeredness, highlighting how 'we' feel, as opposed to events or opportunities where people can truly do good and help each other, or make a difference.

Our security at local, state, and national level is outsourced. We expect fire, rescue, police, FEMA, "The Government," and national security elements to take care of us and be there all the time, and when they aren't, we immediately look for someone to blame. After all-- we are ENTITLED! We make ourselves feel better by telling the 1% of the nation who serve "thanks for your service," but when asked if they or their sons and daughters would ever consider joining the military they react adversely, "oh no, not my child-- they are too good for that/it's too dangerous/my child deserves bigger and better things/plenty of others will do it" (actual statements told to me by parents when I worked recruiting events as an ROTC instructor). While it's great to be appreciated, the nation needs people to step up on many levels for our society to truly be great. When local, state, and federal government fail to meet our expectations, our first instinct is to shirk personal responsibility as opposed to getting involved and attempting to fix the problem. "I don't have time-- Real Housewives of New Jersey is on..."

We can name the athletes on our our fantasy football team, Who's on the Hills, and who the last American Idol was, but most of America can't name one Medal of Honor recipient- dead or alive. Most don't know their US representation in congress-- we're ok with complaining about "them" but I'd argue most don't know who "them" are. They have nice pensions, though.

In the 10 years since the planes crashed, there have been lots of unknowns, busy days and nights, lots of time away from home and family. Some have given much more, including lives and body parts, and they continue to do so. In the end, efforts prevailed, and Osama is dead. Saying thanks is nice, but instead of just going to a ceremony, or taking a moment of silence, make an extra effort-- Donate to the USO, the Wounded Warrior Project, The Fischer House, or your local fire or police charity. Teach your kids to get involved in Government, and know what is going on, more than what's covered on CNN. A free society comes with responsibility.

While this is extreme, I am proud of my country, and I think people are genuinely good. I still get goosebumps at Taps, and I still get a tear at the hearing of the national anthem. If we could get America to do that, I think most of those who serve would tell you it would all truly be worth the sacrifices.

Cheers to those we lost that day, and those we have lost since then making it right.

Ron