Twelve years ago our world was different.
There was no Transportation Security Administration (TSA).
There was no Department of Homeland Security.
There was no ‘War on Terror’.
Terrorism wasn’t a household word and if I said, “We’re orange right now, you’d only think of the color, not your safety.”
It took very little time to get through security at an airport (with the exception of Monday mornings, some weekends and holidays) and you could pack anything in your carry-on that wasn’t considered a weapon.
Water, hairspray, lotion, cologne and perfumes of all sizes were fine, just as long as you could get them in your bag.
We didn’t think much about economics.
We didn’t think much about job security.
We didn’t think much about Afghanistan.
We didn’t think much about Pakistan.
We didn’t think much about border control.
We didn’t think much about safety.
We didn’t have much fear…
Everything was fine…or so we assumed.
Twelve years ago, two planes crashed into the Twins Tower and the world changed.
Every since, it’s felt like our well has begun to run dry.
Maybe the well was really running dry all along, and we just hadn’t taken the time to notice.
Either way, September 12th, 2001 we started to take a look.
That’s when we saw this new reality. It’s not that the possibility of terror hadn’t existed, we just hadn’t been awake. If we were awake, we hadn’t taken the time to look.
Two years ago, “USA Today” posed the question, “Who won the war on terror?”
How about another tough question?
Can a war on terror really be won?
The mere mention of such a word introduces fear, which represents loss.
So, ”USA Today”, I choose not to weigh in on that question.
I think a more appropriate question is just simply, “Do we remember?”
Because remembering keeps me grounded in reality. No fear, no terror, just the reality that there are people and forces at home and abroad that despise this nation and our democracy.
In my humble opinion, ‘We Remember’ simply means; we still see.
We see this new reality and we will do what we can, when we can, where we can, to protect this country and our way of life.
I still remember.
I’m still inspired.
That’s my choice.
What’s your choice?
Hopefully it’s to stay inspired too.
After all it’s a lifestyle choice!