A special blog post written by LTC Kevin Arata, Director, Online and Social Media Division.
I was at Bethesda Naval Hospital this morning, just north of Washington, D.C. Up on the TV in the lobby, at 9 am on CNN Live, a 9/11 Remembrance ceremony was taking place outside the Pentagon.
There were about six people in the hospital waiting room. One was feeding a baby, one was on a laptop, three or four were reading books – all oblivious to the 9/11 ceremony on the TV. Only one was watching the ceremony intently.
And a young service member, who probably could not hear the TV, was standing just below and in front of the TV, with his mom. He looked to be about 20 or 22 years old, with a deep scar across his shaved head, and a cane to aid in walking. From a distance, it appeared he had vision issues as well, and might have been blind. His mom was leading him out of the waiting area. I don’t know if this service member was injured while supporting the war on terror, but it made me think about all the service members who are fighting for our freedom.
This whole scene – which took place inside of less than two minutes – got me to thinking, do we really remember this day and what happened eight years ago? Then I hear later from a friend that a recent poll by Rasmussen Reports indicates that 49% of Americans have forgotten about the 9/11 attacks. A part of me says we just have to move on, while another part of me says we need to remember what happened and keep those who perished in both the attacks and in the war on terror, as well as those currently deployed, in our thoughts and prayers.
On 9/11 we pay tribute to the more than 3,000 people who died in the terror attacks. And rightfully we should. Their deaths were all tragic and my heart-felt prayers go out to each and every victim and their loved ones.
Every day I think about the people who died. You see, for those of us who work in the Pentagon, we have daily reminders of that day on September 11th, 2001. When one comes into the main entrance of the Pentagon each day for work, there are two very large quilts – about 15 feet by 22 feet square – covering the walls of the metro entrance almost from the floor to ceiling. Each quilt honors all those who lost their lives that day in 2001 in the Pentagon, in Shanksville, Pa., and at the World Trade Center in New York City.
And as I move toward my office, dead-center of where the plane hit the Pentagon eight years ago today, I see reminders from across the country enshrined on those walls. There are almost two dozen quilts made from people across the country and sent to the Pentagon. They memorialize those who died in the attacks. The quilts line the walls from the courtyard inside the Pentagon all the way through the five rings of the Pentagon to the E ring, just outside the 9/11 Memorial Chapel.
And every day I, and many others, hear the Pentagon tour guides explain to hundreds of tourists that the plane hit the Pentagon on 9:37 that tragic day, killing 184 people. So many of us see and hear daily reminders of the Pentagon attack. And for those who survived the attacks, I am sure they remember the day as well. And those who live in Shanksville, I am sure, remember what took place eight years ago today. And those who walk by Ground Zero where the World Trade Center once stood, remember what took place eight years ago today. And those brave people who helped rescue victims at all the sites remember what took place eight years ago today. And those family members who lost loved ones – either in the attacks or supporting the war on terror – remember what took place eight years ago today.
But what about the average American, with no connection to the military, no connection to the attack sites, and no connection to those who perished? Do they still remember the sacrifices made by those victims, and by the service members supporting the war on terror? It has been eight years now, and I hope that people do not forget the sacrifices made back then and that are still being made today. I am reminded every day when I come to work of what happened that fateful day. I don’t know if you can call it fortunate or not, but it does serve to remind me sometimes of why I serve.
But I digress – back to waiting room in Bethesda Naval Hospital – where the wounded service member is standing under the TV, with the 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony taking place on CNN in the background. And only one person of about six is watching the ceremony.
Are we forgetting that as a result of this day, eight years ago, we have thousands upon thousands of service members deployed in the name of protecting our freedom?
Are we forgetting that as a result of this day, eight years ago, thousands of service members have given their lives supporting the war on terror?
Last night my son told me he had a homework assignment for his civics class that required he write to a wounded Soldier at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He asked, “Dad, what should I write?” Now having grown up as a military brat for the 14 years of his life, he sees and hears about the trials and tribulations of the military life more so than most kids his age who are not around the military. And he was unsure of what to write. So I told him he should thank the wounded Soldiers for what they did – going overseas to protect our freedom, spending time away from their loved ones, wish them a speedy recovery. So he did. And he added a few words of his own. I am curious to see the final product. And I am curious too, to see what the other kids in his class write, some of whom are military brats, and some who have no connection to the military.
On this day eight years ago, thousands of people paid the ultimate price for the freedome we often take for granted. And we should keep them and their loved ones in our prayers. And at the same time, let’s not forget the sons and daughters of fellow Americans who are currently deployed supporting the war on terror, and those who have given their lives to defend the freedoms we enjoy every day as Americans.
I keep thinking about that young service member whom I saw at Bethesda Naval Hospital and wonder what he and his fellow service members are thinking about on this day. And I wonder what I would write them if I had an assignment like my son. What would you say to those who are deployed? And what would you say to those who perished in the 9/11 attacks and those who died supporting the war on terror? Share your thoughts with us on this solemn day.
And if nothing else, please keep those who died on 9/11 and those who died in the war on terror, in your thoughts and prayers. They could use them on this day, of that I am sure.
