September 11 Again

Well, here we are at September 11 again. It has now been four years since that fateful morning when the terrorist attacks on America changed the course of modern world history. I actually wrote about this subject recently, but after viewing some of those frightening images on television again this afternoon I felt compelled to comment once again. We, as a nation, had become complacent during the previous decade, but September 11 awoke something within our national spirit which put us clearly on the offensive in the war against international terrorism. Although the path ahead remains unclear, we remain on the offensive … as I believe we must. Terrorism has been on the rise in recent decades, primarily from violent Islamic fundamentalist groups. When they brought it home to us in New York, Washington and Virginia, they made it a real and more tangible war. Now we mustn’t give in, we must not back down. A sleeping giant truly has been awakened, such as the world had not known since WWII, and we can only hope that our leaders will have the wisdom and fortitude to continue the battle until we achieve a clear victory. May God bless America and watch over our men and women in uniform.

The Heart of Freedom
Beware, you foes of freedom
Who dare to maim and kill
Who, by force, would stand against us
You have galvanized our will
You have struck the heart of freedom
Spilled sacred blood upon our soil
Stung the bastions of democracy
Yet, though we may recoil
Be it known, we shall not falter
In the midst of travesty
A sleeping giant has awakened
Which will rise from the debris
With a resolve and with a fury
Such as you have rarely known
Freedom’s mettle has been tested
And now its true strength shall be shown
By Frank Carpenter ©