September 11, 2001 is as fresh in mind as yesterday. For me, and perhaps for you, it was a moment ago. The terror of the day still grips me in unforeseen moments. The possibilities that the day revealed in damage and destruction still haunt me, as things that I had previously deemed fantasy became reality. I vividly remember watching the towers fall and knowing that war had come to our shores, and that the trajectory of my children’s lives would be forever changed.
Now, as we stand on the precipice of the tenth anniversary of September 11, we can look back on how that day has transformed our society and our lives. Because of that day, my brother became familiar with the nation of Iraq, lost friends and created a personal legacy of valor. Because of that day, my eldest son Scott is currently on a combat mission in Afghanistan (yes, even ten years later). Because of that day, we have checkpoints and threat levels and everyone seems to know when Ramadan is celebrated.
Isn’t it odd what we have learned in the past ten years? More importantly, isn’t it odd what we have not learned (or perhaps forgotten)?
I remember the talk of the day was that we should never forget. People raised flags and honored fire fighters and police officers for their courage and duty. People saluted servicemen and women and some of them came to Church for a few Sundays in the fall of 2001. Do you remember the politicians gathering on the steps of the Capital Building, joining hands and singing “God Bless America?” Intuitively we knew that this “kum bay yah” moment would not last, but I remember praying that it would.
Of course the moment, like all moments before and after, proved ethereal. Within days (some classless pundits could barely wait hours) partisan politicians and pundits began to unsheathe the long knives and attack their own. The resulting mid-term elections saw a ground swell of pro-military politicians trying to ride the tide by supporting the troops. By the next election cycle the same politicians who had voted for the war were against it, and the troops (glorified just two years earlier) were referred to as men with limited vocational and educational choices.
Politicians, of course, are expected to be as limber as a Cirque du Soleil acrobat when it comes to the issues of the day. Real people, Real Americans are made of sterner stuff. We would never forget and never surrender. Remember when we thought this. Remember when we knew what “never again” meant. When the attacks occurred, the American people were full of outrage and sadness. It did not take years for us to forget. It took weeks. Gone is the shock and the rage, gone is the resolve and the surety. All that is left are the shadows of inconvenience and invasion that have corrupted our society and world. We have long since forgotten the reasons for public inspection points and extended vigilance, yet we still endure pat downs and warrantless wire taps. Soldiers and their families still face the loneliness, loss and legacy of war, but a large majority of Americans have returned to the normalcy of their world. We have all become distracted, what separates us in what our choice of distractions are. Today, few contemplate why the world is the way it is.
How many remember what Osama Bin Laden sought to accomplish with his attack of the United States of America? Do you recall his intention to recreate the Islamic Caliphate by overthrowing the Westernized Nation-States of the Middle East? Do you remember that his primary objective was to draw the United States into a war of attrition in Afghanistan? Do you remember that it was his goal to bankrupt the United States as he bankrupted the Soviet Union? Can you really say that the results of 9/11 are behind us?
The death of Osama Bin Laden does not end the war began on September 11, 2001. Even if it did, it would not justify our response (or lack thereof) to the actions of 9/11/01. The skyline of New York is still scarred by the absence of the once towering World Trade Center. The nation remains confused and conflicted over who committed the actions of that grave day. The wars continue and the scars that were opened on that sad day almost ten years ago are still being exploited by all manner of villains.
Many of you are likely wondering if Pastor Dan has his calendar wrong. You might be asking, why is he writing about 911 in August? Shouldn’t he wait until September?
I am writing this in August because I believe that we have a job to do in September. It is my intention to remember the tenth anniversary of September 11 here at First Baptist Church of Greater Toledo. It is time for us to do our part and celebrate the service of those who continue to put their lives on the line as first responders. It is time for us to reach out and thank our police officer, fire fighters, and service men and women for what they do every day. It is time for us to renew our promise to never forget, and renew our resolve to stand as “One nation under God, indivisible…”
Don’t look for someone else to do this. It is my belief that if we are to become who God is calling us to be, then we must be bold enough to take the lead. If we desire others to salute the flag, then it must be us who raise it high. If we desire our nation to honor our veterans, then we must take a returning soldier to dinner or invite a serviceman’s family for lunch.
It is for this reason that I am writing this article. I want First Baptist Church to be a Church that supports our fire fighters and police officers. I want First Baptist Church to be known as a Church that supports the troops in the field regardless of who is leading them in the White House. I want us to be living example of the love of Jesus Christ to the families of those who put their lives on the line for us every day.
We can show our love by reaching out to our police officers, fire fighters and veterans on September 11, 2011. We are currently working on September 11 day of remembrance. This will include inviting the men and women of our community who serve us in this capacity to First Baptist Church for a time of remembrance and celebration. This will be our kick-off program and picnic. We will invite them to join us for free. If you think this is a good idea, then I would ask you to come out and support this endeavor. Share with us your ideas and your skills so that those who serve us selflessly can feel your love and support.
I look forward to standing with you in the days to come.
Pastor Dan
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