Remembering…
September 12, 2016
Not long a go, well I guess that is relative. Fifteen years ago this morning, I woke with visions in my mind of a horrible , terrible act. Attacks here on American soil. The only problem was that it was not just a dream or vision. It had actually happened. I had seen the replays of planes crashing into the the trade center towers, the pentagon and also a field in central Pennsylvania. I don't know how many times I had viewed them, dozens perhaps hundreds, but the reply in my mind was constant. As a firefighter I had so many emotions and feelings coursing through me. I had a need to do something more than my day to day routine. Thanks to modern technology I, along with millions of other Americans, had been a front row witness to a cowardly attack, carried out by a group that had a great hate for what America stands for. Freedom, Liberty, Prosperity and opportunity. I was privileged to work with a group of men and women that became what we called the fallen fund. We would have a 30 plus day journey around our nation raising funds for the fallen families. But this story is not about that experience, It is about what we saw and felt as we traveled, how we were treated and in general how the people of this nation treated one another. 
It was an honor to have complete strangers, wave, walk up and give hugs, honk their horns and wave old glory in the breeze. Countless time we witnessed Flags painted on barns, flying from cars, and being held with great esteem, love, affection, and respect. Kindness melted away anger and bitterness. Negativity and frustration were changed to hope, and a feeling of common bond. The founding Fathers felt this same bond, for a time we knew what it felt like to be a true patriot. To esteem one another as American equals, regardless of color, religion, creed, or financial stature in the community. We embraced the principles of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. We believed in us. Unfortunately, the unity and bonds we felt faded with time. Much like a wound, when its fresh causes us to take care of the most important things to help it heal properly. As it heals we forget the pain and being to neglect it or stop thinking about it. Some things should be forgotten, but not the goodness, not the kindness, and definitely not the hope and values that America should have. We had a unique opportunity to strengthen and make America better and a beacon of light to the world. Instead we have reverted to anger, bitterness. We embrace the remembrance of decades even centuries old injustices and wrongs. We worry more about what over paid athletes, actors, and politicians say than what we know to be true. Our values and principles have become clouded with smoke and mirrors and unfortunately darkness.
Its a funny thing about darkness and light. The other day I walked down the stairs in my house. As I reached the bottom step it was dark. I thought there was one more step to descend. I was wrong. As my foot hit the landing I stumbled and fell. Picking myself off of the floor and realizing I wasn't hurt became embarrassed and was grateful that no one witness my fall. I immediately turned on the light, which I should have done in the first place. As I have thought of this experience, I thought of our nation. I realized that much of the problems that we have as Americans and that we face as a Nation come from the perspective that we view things. Do we look at things from the perspective of darkness. Missing important obstacle and having a gloomy look or disposition of life. Or do we look at it from a perspective of light. Seeing pitfalls and solutions having a clear vision and positive outcomes. Remember light chases darkness away, and enhances vision, while darkness hides good and makes simple things more difficult.
So back to the beginning. Fifteen years ago today, I had a resolution in my heart and mind to do good. I remember that, and I hope I can do my part today to remember to do good, to lift, and to approach. things from the light and not darkness.
May God bless each of us as we move into the future, and My God bless America
Bravehaven,
