A Day of Tears

This past weekend was the 20th anniversary of September 11th; the worst enemy attack ever on America’s mainland by terrorists. Surprisingly, there are those who observed the day by going about their lives as usual. For me that was not possible.

I remember the moment the attacks took place. I remember exactly where I was and what I was doing. I remember having to sit down because the devastation of the attacks drew strength from my body. To this day, 9/11 pulls from me the joy that I experience on other days. I am sobered by the loss of life, liberty, and justice that not only Americans endure, but the world at large. 9/11 was the beginning of underlying sadness and heartbreak for me as I realized that America, and her way of life, were forever changed.

One would think that such an horrific act against us would leave an indelible impression upon our hearts. Sadly, as I look around me, I see that for some, it has not. Many children and young adults do not even know what 9/11 is, and others simply do not care. It appears to me that our government does not even remember what took place on that dreadful day. Even worse, they have opened the gates for more terror to cross our borders and harm our citizens.

Lately, as I watch the actions of our government my heart hemorrhages. By far, the worst things I have ever seen to date are the 9/11 attacks and the recent American abandonment of the Afghani people. To witness a sea of people run after jet liners, hanging on to them for coveted life and safety, only to be blown off their wings and plummet to death, is heart wrenching. Their falls bring to mind those falling from the twin towers. And, to see Afghani mother’s handing over their wee babies to American soldiers goes beyond comprehension.

In September of 2001, we vowed as Americans never to forget the crimes inflicted against us on that mournful day. In August of 2021, our government and a great number of our citizens, did just that. They forgot about it all. To stand by and allow the actions that have transpired to go without consequences is to support them. In doing so, we are just as guilty and barbaric as those who try to tell us to look the other way or to focus on something different.

The consequences of America’s abandonment will have a far and long reaching effect. America’s safety and that of the people of the world has been colossally compromised. And, who is to blame? Who is responsible? Responsibility is not solely that of our government; it is ours too. We are the fools who elected such imbeciles, we are the fools that stand by and allow them to do as they will without consequences. I fear, however, that the consequences will soon be ours.

Our troops have lost life and limb to protect and restore our safety and our liberty. Do the lives of those lost on 9-11-2001, and those of our beloved troops over the past 20 years, count for naught? Why has our government let liberty, safety, and decency slip away again? Why do they dismiss the anguish of the survivors and impose policies that only encourage more attacks, more loss and more suffering?

Have Americans become so disconnected that they fail to see where much is given, much is expected? Do we not see that our blessings obligate us with responsibilities, not only to ourselves, but to the world at large? It is a truth that what a person will do to one, he will do to another. Do not bury your head in the sand. If our government will abandon our obligations of protection and safe transition to a nation of people, they will do the same to us. It is merely a matter of time and circumstance.

There were times in our nation’s history where certain groups (races and ethnicities) were considered less deserving than others. Many people have suffered oppressions due to period acceptances of hierarchy and classifications. Although our ancestors have battled against such atrocities and stigmas, do not assume that they might not return and divide us again. If we are not vigilant in our course to protect our constitutional declaration that all men are created equal, we may see that glorious gift fade. In its wake, battles, death, terror, and oppression shall most certainly take hold. These are the spoils of evil consequences; of evil men.

9-11 is a difficult day for me. It is a day filled with heartache for our nation and sympathy for the losses and sorrows of the survivors. If Americans do not stand up to their responsibilities, we will see the fall of our nation. If we see the fall of our nation, not only America, but the entire world will experience dark oppression and crushing atrocities.

9/11 is a day of tears for the world. Let us pray and commit ourselves to the promise that we shall not fail. Let not the lives of our beloved soldiers, first responders, and innocent civilians be in vain. Terror is evil and governments who support it openly, or covertly, are evil too. Let us right our wrongs and seek to protect the weak, squelch the oppressors, install liberty, and share prosperity for all. That’s the American experience. It is our American dream, our duty and it used to be our honor.

Please join me in my quest to restore America’s honor. Start today by becoming an informed citizenry by educating yourself to the truth. Stop listening to lies spewed across social media, radio, the internet, pod-casts, and television. Get out your history books, study civics and learn the truth.

When faced with the realities of nuclear physics, Albert Einstein wrote a letter declaring the responsibility of scientists in protecting the world from destruction, “We scientists recognize our inescapable responsibility to carry to our fellow citizens an understanding of the simple facts of atomic energy and its implications for society. In this lies our only security and our only hope. We believe that an informed citizenry will act for life and not for death.” (The Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists in Post-War America, Oregon State Library)

As Einstein plainly recognizes, society is susceptible to atrocities due to ignorance, misinformation, and lies. His worries are the scientific consequences associated with unchecked control and use of atomic energy. He implies that the enormity of its power can be good or terrible dependent upon its application; yet control is possible through the conscious involvement of an informed and involved society.

Einstein knew that if left to the control of governments, nuclear power would be the end of the world. Terror and evil governments require that same cost. If our citizenry fails to put forth the required investment, civilization will suffer horrific acts of terrorism, enormous losses of life and the death of liberty.

My prayers are with you, they are with our nation; but most of all, they are with the surviving families of 9/11 as they suffer through the memories of this tragic day. May they and the world at large, never experience such a cowardice act of terrorism ever again.

My name is Tracy Renee Lee. I am a Certified Grief Counselor (GC-C), Funeral Director (FDIC), published author, syndicated columnist, Podcaster and founder of the “Mikey Joe Children’s Memorial” and Heaven Sent, Corp. I write books, weekly bereavement articles, Podcasts and Grief BRIEFs related to understanding and coping with grief. I am the American Funeral Director of the Year Runner-Up and Recipient of the BBB’s Integrity Award.

It is my life's work to comfort the bereaved and help them live on.

For additional encouragement, please visit my podcast “Deadline” at: https://open.spotify.com/show/7MHPy4ctu9OLvdp2JzQsAA Or at: https://anchor.fm/tracy874 Follow me on Instagram at: "Deadline_TracyLee."