America
Determined
Melissa Dallago
On September 11, 2001, America was
ripped from her slumber. She rubbed her
eyes groggily as she rose from her bed.
She looked around with amazement at the smoke and rubble of the World
Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
A tear streamed down her face as she
realized the casualties that had occurred.
She knelt and embraced those who suffered and felt fear. She offered her eternal love and support for those
who lost their lives and those who grieved.
She felt an outpouring of emotion for their sorrow and pain. Her calm demeanor offered strength and
determination in the rescue efforts to save the fallen.
America had an outpouring of love
for her countrymen, but an ember of anger had come alight. As the smoke cleared, and the terror
diminished, America looked around her seeking out the monsters that were behind
this evil act. The ember became a flame,
burning ever brighter; that flame became an inferno burning hotter still,
seeking justice for the wrong that had been done. America was determined that whoever had done
this would pay the price for murdering the innocent. She was asleep no more and her memories came
flooding back.
Men paid the ultimate sacrifice
during the pangs of her labor, and felt an immense pride as she was born. America was a fledgling in the beginning, but
she had a passion and spirit that rallied many to her cause. Her fellow citizens supported her and raised
her up. As she took her first tentative
steps, she became a bright flame that offered hope to the lost.
America reveled in her
independence. Her steps became more
confident with each passing year and she held her head higher as she learned
her purpose. America grew older and more
experienced and was a fledgling no more.
She soared with the eagles and relished in her might.
America remembered her battles to
protect freedom throughout the world.
She would forever embrace the men who gave their lives while fighting
for her cause. She remembered, with
pride, her history of standing for the right in an often chaotic world. All of these memories washed over her as she
recalled her past, and the roads she had traveled on, to reach such lofty values
of greatness, compassion, courage, love of country, and pride. America came to represent true freedom and
the wondrous goals that can be reached in such a society.
The world around America had
shifted, sides had changed, and her great cause was once again threatened. Her ire of the wrongs done was deep. She would find the villains and bring them to
justice. With calm determination, America
took her position and called her citizens to her side. Together they would fight the good fight and
not cease until freedom was properly defended.
The attack on America was unprovoked
on that fateful day five years ago. That
day we rose as a nation to the challenges that were laid down before us. We must remember where were on that day and
reflect on what America signifies to the rest of the world
As President Bush said to the speech
before the Joint Session of Congress on September 20, 2001, “Americans have
known surprise attacks, but never before on thousands of civilians. All of this was brought upon us on a single
day – and night fell on a different world, a world where freedom itself is
under attack.” (Bush, George W.,
Presidential address before Joint Session of Congress, 20 Sep. 2001).
The war on terrorism began when
Osama bin Laden attacked our country. It
continues to this day and will continue for the foreseeable future. As Bush further stated, “… Our war on terror
begins with al Qaeda, but it does not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group
of global reach has been found, stopped, and defeated. America should not expect one battle, but a
lengthy campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen… and we will pursue
nations that provide aid or safe haven to terrorism… Freedom and fear are at
war. The advance of human freedom – the
great achievement of our time now depends on us. Our nation – this generation – we will lift a
dark threat of violence from our people and our future. We will rally the world to this cause by our
efforts, by our courage. We will not tire,
we will not falter, and we will not fail.”
(Bush, George W., Presidential address before Joint Session of Congress,
20 Sep. 2001).
We have done amazing things in the
past five years since the War on Terror began.
Freedom has been brought to portions of the Middle East that have never
tasted it before. The citizens of
Afghanistan and Iraq now have freedom thanks to our efforts. Our soldiers have sacrificed, but it was not
needless or in vain. The journey is far
from over, but that first taste of freedom has laid the foundations for future
generations to truly know what it means to live in peace and to experience
freedom from fear of terrorists.
While addressing the United States
on November 11, 2001, President Bush said, “We have a chance to write the story
of our times, a story of courage defeating cruelty and light overcoming
darkness. This calling is worth any
life.” (Tokipona, We will defend
ourselves, 2001).
We, as Americans, have a duty to
ourselves, our neighbors and our country.
We must remember September 11, 2001.
We must remember how we felt; the sorrow and anger, as well as the love,
compassion, and support for those around us.
In our darkest, most dire hours, we were proud to be Americans and
demonstrated the selfless love and heroism that resides in each and every one
of us and makes our country truly great.
We have an opportunity to be the greatest generation of our times.
Now is the time to
stand. It is the time to believe in the
greater good, and a time to fight for our county and the values it stands
for. As George Washington once said,
“Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.” (Benedetto, R. Bush invokes spirit of George Washinton in
plea on Iraq, 8 Jul. 2005). At this five
year anniversary, we must continue to be vigilant of the greatness that makes
America determined to finish the tasks laid before us and continue to honor
those who lost their lives on that fateful day.
We are Americans and, above all, we should embody and personify the
values that make us the greatest country in the world. We must never forget September 11, 2001.
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