September 11, 2002 - 11:02 p.m. [**Warning: The following material may insult or degrade your beliefs in this country. If you believe that you might have to say something back to me that is negative, do not read any further.**] ======================================== Today was an interesting day to say the least. Of course it is the Anniversary of 9/11. I would like to first point out the fact that I would like to honor all those who gave up their lives one year ago today, honor those heroes and wish that I had their courage. Their bravery will live on in the hearts of our generation and the generation to follow. I would like to stress some points though. I have been hearing of this “false patriotism” and in some ways I can see why it is believed that since 9/11 that the patriotism in this country has been all but a fad. However, I would like to stick up for people like me, who have great and undying pride in this country. Maybe it does not matter to you, but I served as a Boy Scout for a couple of years. The Scouts taught me a deeper pride in my country then I could ever have imagined without that influence. I do not see myself as “white”, “Caucasian”, “cracker”, “Italian”, “Irish”, or “English” but as an AMERICAN. I say this because of my view of America. I view our great country with that same honor and respect many others share, that this is not a nation of varied races, or that “melting pot” of old. I believe America is a mindset and a race. America is a mindset because of our beliefs that have stirred much hatred in other countries around the world. Many people hate Americans for the way we live, others for our money, political stability [or instability, whatever suits you] and sheer determination. America is a term that to myself, as well as many others describes a way of life: freedom of speech, religion and press that many countries do not allow. America is hope, hope for a better tomorrow. America is about determination, about not giving up, about persistence. You knock it down, well hell we’ll just have to build it right back up. Americans believe that no matter what, we will not fail, we will not falter, but that we will succeed. America is a promise of progress. America can also be described as a race. If someone asks me what I am, hell I’m gonna answer “American” because that’s what I am. Sure, my great-grandparents on my dad’s side came from Italy. And the fact is that my mom’s great-grandparents came from Ireland and England. But I would like to point out that I live in AMERICA, home of the free and the brave. Americans unite together for one cause. Sure many other countries unite for these same causes, but America is different, Americans protect AMERICAN pride, integrity and spirit; that promise of tomorrow mentioned above. America is a feeling. I believe that the media has overplayed the 9/11 massacre beyond what we would like to hear. I believe that we should never forget, but I also believe that we should move on, because America moves on. When the British burned down the White House in 1812 we fixed it back up, painted it and moved back in and kicked some British ass. When Pearl Harbor was attacked we honored those who died, picked up the pieces and vowed to never forget and launched a war on Europe and the Pacific. Why should we forget 9/11??? We won’t, we can’t. America needs to grieve and the media has not allowed the mourning families any time to be with themselves. We should never forget, because it is in our minds and hearts forever, but we should move on because life goes on. We will never forget those who lost their lives on 9/11, but we will go on. WE must, for we are AMERICANS.
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