Now it seems as if our country has forgotten the fallen. They are once more against the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance in the schools. They're attacking our soldiers who fight to protect us from this nightmare happening again.
Have you forgotten?
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry
Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below
Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters
Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Teaching a class full of innocent children
Driving down some cold interstate
Did you feel guilty cause you're a survivor
In a crowded room did you feel alone
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her
Did you dust off that bible at home
Did you open your eyes and hope it never happened
Close your eyes and not go to sleep
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages
Speak with some stranger on the street
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow
Go out and buy you a gun
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watching
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some stranger
Stand in line and give your own blood
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love
I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
The song is just as touching for me today as it was back then. Even today I can't hear it on the radio without crying. I look at these images and my heart aches. I am filled with so many confliting feelings. I'm sad for the loss of all those innocent lives.
I'm angry at the cowards who destroyed so many families. I want to see them suffer as they've caused our nation to suffer.
I'm filled of admiration for the ones who battled to save more lives. The ones on flight 93 who stood up for the country and lost their lives in the process.
Have you forgotten?
4 comments:
Excellent post, Donica. I have not forgotten. My flag flies today in honor of the fallen and of the heroes who still fight today.
I'll tell you a story. In downtown Portland, there was an Army recruiter handing out those plastic wrist bands for support. These bands are free, and he was handing them out so you can wear them and show your support for our men and women fighting overseas.
Now, Portland is a LIBERAL town. DH was walking through Pioneer Square near his work, and people were walking past this guy saying bad words and shunning the bracelets, avoiding the guy, walking around him.
WTF, people? I don't care if you don't support our nation's presidency. But dear God, don't shun the very people who protect our country. Sure, they fought and died for your right to shun them, but what a slap in the face. When you're in the military, it isn't like you "have a choice" as to whether or not you will listen to your Commander in Chief. I'm sure there are MANY soldiers over there who don't agree with the fighting in Iraq either.
But I just cannot believe the gall of some people to be so violent toward supporting our armed forces. Sure, hate the war, but don't hate the soldier.
Some people.
Needless to say, DH walked up to that guy and said loudly, "AIN'T NO LIBERALS HERE!" and took two bracelets, one for him and one for me.
I wear mine proudly.
~~Becka
I don't know if "violent" was the right word. I should have said "rude".
~~Becka
That is a beautiful song. Brings tears to my eyes as well. It is hard to believe that 6 years have past. My father was in the navy. I grew up hearing jets all my life. That was a very comforting sound...untill 9/11. Then it became a very scary one. Every time I would hear one fly over that first year, I would look and remember. Now I can hear them again with some of that wonder back. I remember. My flag flies all the time. In fact, I saved the first flag I got after that day and keep it with a copy of a poem I wrote about that. Thanks for posting this Donica.
I was out by the airport, at a friend's house, when the planes started flying again. I remember sticking my hand out through the open moon roof and cheering. It was good to see planes in the sky again.
Gorgeous post -- and pictures.
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