Seven Years Gone By

Almost 3000 lives gone

This morning at 0530 I was doing PT and then on my way to work. Seven years ago, when the phone rang in the morning, I woke up to what I thought was going to be an enjoyable day off.

This morning, at 1000, I was standing in front of my soldiers as we took part in a memorial. Seven years ago, at 1000, I stood in front of my television and watched thousands of lives end.

Almost 3000 lives gone

Every year that goes by, the memories of many get fuzzier. The reasons for this war grow more distant in the minds of many Americans, even the ones who hold office or who want to hold office. Networks don't like to show pictures of the planes hitting the towers and now we pay more attention to those who call for appeasement in the name of peace.

Almost 3000 lives gone.

The threat remains, it is real, our enemies remain, and they are patient. The national mindset though is impatient. The sitcom solution, (30 minute solution to every problem plus commercials), holds sway and whether it's political debates or how long it takes to make dinner, as long as its brief, not too filling, and looks pretty, that's just fine.

Almost 3000 lives gone.

By nightfall on September 11, 2001 there were:

Almost 3000 empty beds.

Almost 3000 empty seats at dinner.

Almost 3000 cars that didn't get driven home.

Almost 3000 keys that didn't turn locks.

Almost 3000 phones that were not answered.

Almost 3000 lives gone.

Comments

[Jenn Q. Public]

Thank you for posting your thoughts on the seventh anniversary of September 11th. I added your post to my list of favorite 9/11 tributes and remembrances from around the blogosphere. I'm proud to be able to include the perspective of a soldier.