'We ask that you always remember 9/11'

(EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a speech prepared for delivery this afternoon at the Freedom Walk program sponsored by the American Legion. The walk commences at 1:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall at 351 Fourth Ave. EN. one block north of Smith’s and proceeds to Depot Park.)

Today is Sept. 11, 2011, a short 10 years after we saw the Twin Towers fall, the Pentagon hit by a 747 passenger jet and another crash in the Pennsylvania fields — all flown by Mideast terrorists. They killed over 3,200 men, women and children. Today we recall the heroic deeds of our firefighters, police and volunteers from every walk of life.

Today I want to thank each of you for unselfishly giving up your time to be here to remember 9/11 publicly and to remind others of that tragedy 10 years ago. Also, to give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy because of the sacrifices made by our men and women of all uniforms — firemen, police and service personnel. Yes, we remember people from every walk of life that came from across our great nation to offer a helping hand to strangers who were in great pain and suffering, and they called them their neighbors.

Where were you when terrorists hit the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. on 9/11/01?

Flight 11 crashed at roughly 490 mph into the north tower between the 94th and 98th floors. At 9:03 a.m., Flight 175 crashed into the south tower at 590 mph between the 78th and 84th floors. Witnesses reported that over 200 people jumped to their deaths from floors above the 98th floor. At 10:28 a.m., less than two hours later, the north tower collapsed; 56 minutes later the south tower collapsed. There were 110 stories in each tower. Each plane carried 10,000 gallons of jet fuel which ignited immediately, spilling flaming fuel throughout the towers’ infrastructure. We lost 2,749 lives in those two hours. More deaths would follow. Victims ranged in age from 2 years to 85 years. New York City lost 343 firefighters.

The Pentagon was hit just a short time later by Flight 77 with additional loss of life and property. In the Pentagon was a small day-care for young children which housed about 40 children. Two employees were frantically trying to move these young children, many in cribs and crawling, when a young serviceman came by and asked if they needed help. The lady in charge said we need you to help us move these children outside. And he disappeared. She was beside herself not knowing how to move 40 young children. Five minutes later, 40 servicemen showed up, each grabbed a child and they left the building. In the parking lot, they set the children down, formed a ring around them and stood guard for hours until the parents came to claim their children. Unfortunately, you don’t hear about these heart-warming stories on our national news media.

Flight 93 crashed into a field in Pennsylvania, killing everyone on board. Todd Beamer, a passenger on Flight 93, called his wife to let her know about the hijacking and to tell her that he and his fellow passengers were not going to allow their plane to hurt anyone on the ground. He left his cell phone on after saying goodbye. He was heard saying, “Let’s roll” just prior to the passengers attacking the terrorists aboard their plane.

Todd Beamer, the 40 servicemen who moved the young children, and thousands of other heroes stepped up to the plate that day. We never heard about most of them. But maybe another word for their acts of heroism would be patriotism.

What does patriotism mean? The dictionary meaning is love and devotion to one’s country. I think it means something more. Americans wear this title proudly. They are kind and generous to other Americans. When you’re an American, it’s as if you joined a very large extended family. One in which everyone cares for each other and looks after one another.

The terrorist attacks of 9/11 were not intended to only bring down a couple of buildings. No. It was intended to bring down this idea of patriotism. This grand devotion to one’s nation. In bringing down the buildings, the terrorists succeeded. However, in bringing down the idea, they failed miserably, because after the initial shock of it all, Americans began the mourning process. The typical white American was mourning beside the Hispanic American and the Middle Eastern American, the Asian Americans, as well as African Americans. All grieving together like siblings after a fight. Coming together, united against future attackers. Nothing portrayed this better than watching those brave firemen rushing into the collapsing buildings, risking their lives to save their fellow citizens, their neighbors, their brothers. Or the servicemen protecting the young children, or Todd Beamer and his fellow passengers.

This is patriotism. You see, patriotism cannot be described with words because patriotism is so much more than just words. It is an idea, a feeling, a way of life. Remembering the lives of those brave firemen year after year is patriotism. Coming together to support one another during a time of need is patriotism. Overcoming the wounds together is patriotism. You could say that patriotism is a love of one’s nation. I beg to differ. True patriotism is far more than that.

Today, we thank our grocery clerk when he/she gives us our change. We give a friendly wave when another car enters an intersection at the same time as us, and he/she waves us through. Yes, we extend courtesies for countless reasons, and today we are here to thank all persons in uniform, not only the military personnel in uniform but the policemen, the firemen, and the medical personnel who take care of us not only in times of national emergencies but daily. There isn’t a day that goes by when these named professionals don’t save lives.

But how do you thank someone for saving the world? When you ask young men and women to endure great hardships, drastically change their lifestyles and possibly give their lives for you, the words “thank you” seem woefully insufficient. Simply put, we owe them a debt that can never be repaid. Fortunately, veterans don’t ask for much. Benefits are a mere drop in the bucket compared to the financial and human cost of war. But, nonetheless, we still owe them.

Yes, 10 years and still counting since that dreadful day. However, our shores and our soils have been protected since that historic event only through the efforts and lives of the uniformed people in our country — the military men and women, the firemen, the policemen and the many other professions that save lives every day and continue to keep our nation safe and for this, we are thankful!

True appreciation is expressed through deeds, not words. When an airman-turned-job-applicant sits across from you during an interview, weigh that experience a little heavier than most. When an American Legion Auxiliary member asks you to buy a poppy, remember the Korean War veteran in a hospital bed. When a member of Congress complains about the cost of a veterans program, remind the lawmaker of the cost of being a veteran.

So with this, I thank you, the American Legion thanks you, and the American people thank you. We ask that you always remember 9/11, so that we may continue to enjoy each and every day, and that we may always walk in freedom.

God bless you for being here, God bless our veterans, God bless all persons in uniform, and God bless America.

Lee Heser, of Kalispell, is the District 4 commander for American Legion.