This afternoon, Sunday 9/11/2011, there will be a Remembrance Ceremony at the flagpole in front of Glendora’s City Hall. Let’s all come together to remember the devastating loss of innocent human life 10 years ago today!
In the history of the United States there are two events that stand out for their treachery and loss of thousands of lives: Pearl Harbor and the terrorist attack on The World Trade Center.
The excruciating difference between the two events is the loss of innocent, civilian lives in the September 11, 2001 suicide attack perpetrated by Islamic extremists.
Franklin Roosevelt declared Dec. 7, 1941 as “a day that will live in infamy!” If a sneak attack by the military of a sovereign government on military targets of another sovereign government is infamous, how much worse is the attack by a handful of rabid religious zealots on civilians – done in the name of their God?
Nearly 60 years after Pearl Harbor, a handful of “jihadists” brought their “holy war” to the shores of the United States and murdered thousands of men, women and children, who were innocently pursuing their personal activities. Their indiscriminate attack killed people of all faiths – including Muslims.
Remembering is not something that Americans do well. We are an optimistic, forward looking people. But in this new world of global holy war, we must force ourselves to never forget!
The families and friends of those that perished will never forget! Their memories are burdened with all of life’s pleasures they will never get to enjoy with their lost loved ones.
Our military men and women will never forget. Their memories are seared with visions of the innocents that died that day, compounded by the loss of their comrades-in-arms that have died since in the defense of our country and its people.
Today we are forced to remember that day, as we contemplate news accounts of another threat of a terrorist attack planned to commemorate the first. We have wounded our enemy, but they are very much alive and dangerous! If we forget that many more of our countrymen will die. Maybe you, or me, or someone we love.
America is the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.” It is also the home of a generous and forgiving people, who want to believe that the rest of the human race is the same. Most are; too many are not.
We must REMEMBER!
The views and opinions expressed in these articles are those of Doug Tessitor alone. They are not to be construed to represent official positions of the city or the opinions of any other council member.
Glendora Mayor Doug Tessitor fields your community questions and answers them in a weekly column. In Glendora Patch’s Mayor’s Roundtable, you are invited in an ongoing dialogue about issues and concerns you have regarding your city. Share your ideas and voice your opinion.
Have a question you'd like Mayor Tessitor to answer? E-mail hazel.lodevicotoo@patch.com
