This is an item I wrote 4 years ago........
I recall, quite vividly, that morning.....I was wondering what challenges would await at the office, just like any other day. As was custom in our house, I turned on Fox 11 News, to hear what Tony McEwing and Jean Martirez would have to say, just like any other day. Tony's voice seemed different, and there seemed to be a sound of urgency....there was a video feed of the twin towers smoldering, and the details were still coming in - nobody was quite sure what had happened, or whom was behind it, or why they did it. Minutes later, a plane crash had been reported at the Pentagon, followed by another crash in Pennsylvania. Something was definitely wrong, but nobody seemed to know what or why.
I saddled up, rode to the office, and arrived to find some really scared employees, and to find that both towers had collapsed.....the unthinkable was now upon us. Our office in Chicago, based in the Sears Tower, had been evacuated, so all financial operations were shifted to the Western Region. My first order of business was to calm my staff down, and get them focused on the tasks we had at hand - some serious shit had hit the fan, and it was more important than ever to maintain calm and keep the chains moving. They did a phenominal job at that, I might add.....
I rode home that night, just like any other night before, but felt different. I was concerned that if the terrorists did this, what would be next? I was angry that so many innocents had been killed - these were not even warfighters whom accept the risk of death as part of their duty. I wondered what we, as a nation, would do next.....it was unthinkable to believe this could possibly go without retaliation....but retaliation against whom?
Over the next few days, as more details came out behind whom was behind this dastardly act, it became apparent that we, as a nation, were going to war. I readily accepted this, and will never change my opinion that our war is just and appropriate. I recall British Prime Minister Tony Blair addressing Parliament and saying, "We, as a Nation, must be corageous, and do what is right," in reference to Britian's support of the war. I recall hearing Pakistan's President General Pervez Musharref press conference, in which he supported the West in any way his nation could, to bring those to justice whom were behind this act.
I recall seeing flags pop up everywhere, and people taking a new pride in patriotism (I wonder where their flags were before - I have always owned one). I knew that war would be a divisive thing, but I also knew it was what needed to happen - no matter what, terrorists cannot be negotiated with, and the only solution is complete eradication of them. I knew that there would be risk of my own daughter going to combat, or worse, and accepted this risk, as it is what was best for the nation, as well as the free world. I knew young kids would come home in a flag-draped coffin, and have done my best to be there to support their families when they do (check the link to the Patriot Guard if you would like to help as well).
The world has changed. It is our duty as Americans to support freedom, and eradicate those whom are opposed to it. It is our duty as Americans to defend our home soil, and if pre-emptive war is the means to do it, I am in support of it. Keep in mind, we did not start this war, but it is our job to see it to the end. Some will say our war efforts are not working - last time I checked, we have not had a terrorist attack in the United States since we went to war. My own personal thoughts are that we need to turn the war effort up a notch, and kill more bad guys. You don't win a war with diplomacy - it was the failed diplomacy of President Clinton that enabled terrorist activity to increase - many seem to forget this huge detail.
Never forget those who gave all on 9/11, as well as those who have given all in this Global War on Terror. As Gunny (our ride captain with the Patriot Guard) told me, the nature of war is that young men will die, for the freedoms and ideals that our founding fathers risked their life to form our Nation on (remember, they were guilty of Treason against the Crown).
May God Bless the United States of America.
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