Much like September 11, 2001 people will never forget where they were on May 1, 2011 when they heard the news of the demise of Osama Bin Laden.
Last night was full of emotion from the crowd outside the White House singing God Bless America to the 45,000 at Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelphia chanting U-S-A! U-S-A! To the peaceful quiet vigil at Ground Zero and the FDNY members gathering in Times Square.
Some rejoiced, some mourned, even myself I spent nearly two hours crying over the news. Tears of happiness of the news, tears of sadness over those that were lost, tears of joy for the survivors of September 11, those that made it out of those buildings and those who were there and provided emergency services. They were for the families of those that were gone but mostly they were for my “brothers” the gone but not forgotten 343 officers and firefighters of the FDNY. They were for the NYC EMS workers, the NYPD, the Port Authority PD and anyone else who came and provided help. They were for the emergency workers in DC and in the field in PA.
It’s been nearly 10 years since that cowardly act and in many ways, New York City, Washington, DC and Shanksville, PA have healed but it never truly felt like it was complete. Last night President Obama told the American public you can now remove your Band-Aid. Let air get at those wounds, the person who was responsible for this can no longer hurt you, hurt us or anyone else.
I never served in the military, but like many others I have family and friends who did and are currently serving and they deserve our respect and gratitude today and everyday. We are all proud of you, for unselfishly serving your country for way little pay and not enough recognition. These men and women allow us to do the things we do, to be the America we have become. They do things at all hours of the day and night that you and I can not begin to fathom. Today America is a better place because of a small group of those wonderful military personnel took on a job and accomplished it.
It is my wish that all those who were affected by September 11, 2001 can now be allowed to move on with their lives. The pain of that day will always remain it will never truly fade away but maybe now they can enjoy a beautiful early fall day and think of the good times they had with their loved ones and not how they left them.
