9/11 - We have forgotten.

2014-09-11T09:25:26-04:00

Thirteen years ago, we saw tragedy at home. We were attacked. Not our military - our civilians, our non-combatants. We united as a country in a way I have never seen. American flags on all porches, flag poles, flying from the backs of trucks and motorcycles. We all stood a little bit taller, more proud and determined. The phrase "We will never forget" was inscribed everywhere.

Just a short thirteen years later, we have broken a solemn promise to those murdered on September 11, 2001. We have made those who fought against the enemy die in vain. We slouch, no longer proud and eager.

We have forgotten.

May 9, 2010, Santa Rita California School District: Teacher deems American Flag offensive.

February 27, 2014: Court rules school can ban American flag shirts to avoid racial strife.

April 1, 2014, Los Lunas, New Mexico: Wells Fargo stops flying American Flag outside as a result of complaints that it is offensive.

June 18, 2014, Webster, Texas: A man is told his American flag is offensive to the Muslim community.

September 10, 2014, Rochester Hills, Mich: Lt. Col Sherwood Baker denied entry into his child's school because he was in uniform. Told it may offend students.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Sep 11 at 2014 9:29 AM

2014-09-11T09:29:18-04:00

Some people haven't forgotten because they don't even know what we have. They live under the ignorance that their freedom is free and the price isn't great.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 2:01 PM

2014-09-11T14:01:22-04:00

Americans are fickle and comfortable in their insulation from world problems. If they see something they do not like on the news happening in some part of the world, they can easily change to a reality T.V. show. It is not in their back yard so why should they care. Unfortunately it takes a large event to shake the mantle and wake us up. We are as Yamamoto said the sleeping giant. The rest of the world, well they are the kid with the stick, seeing how many pokes it takes to wake the giant up and trample everything in its path. I really do not see our current behavior as different from pre-WWII days. We were isolationist then and we are becoming isolationist now.

Our current administration is trying to force the rest of the world to step up and police some actions as seen in Libya and Syria. It doesn't work because the rest of the world, as much as they loath us for doing so, expects the U.S. to act as traffic cop and mediator.

American has gone back to sleep after many years of conflict and diligence by our intelligence folks in preventing incidents on our own soil. OBL is gone, so what is there for us to rally behind? America needs a nemesis, someone/something that has hit us personally wounded us on our own soil which we perceive to be sacred. Until that time, we will continue to be the sleeping giant.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 11 at 2014 2:15 PM

2014-09-11T14:15:02-04:00

I just got back from a luncheon that was centered around 9/11. If you guys ever get a chance to attend an event with Steve Scheibner, I definitely recommend you take it. He is a former Navy pilot, and a Pilot for American Airlines, who was scheduled to be the pilot for Flight 11, the flight that first struck the WTC, but he got bumped. VERY worth it!

Here are a couple of the stories he shows during his talk:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWKPjSirbcU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLj4akmncsA

9/11 | The Man In The Red Bandanna | ESPN

ww.espn.com Ten years later, remembering Welles Remy Crowther who led over 12 people to safety after terrorists struck the World Trade Center on September 11...

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 2:49 PM

2014-09-11T14:49:47-04:00

NEVER FORGET

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 11 at 2014 3:25 PM

2014-09-11T15:25:50-04:00

I can't forget. Watching the Section of the Pentagon Burn that I was WWMCCS Network Installations Chief for. Having to restore Communications to the NE US for Sprint after the Hub in the Basement of the WTC burned up. Yeah not going to happen. Burned in my Brain like Mt Pinatubo, El Dorado Canyon and Iran-Contra.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Sep 11 at 2014 3:52 PM

2014-09-11T15:52:20-04:00

270+ million Americans can't be lumped into some sue happy people and court rulings that don't instill the patriotic sentiment that service members have over many civilians. Some of these court rulings are made on behalf of public safety. I have never understood why people come here searching for the American dream, and have the audacity to denounce this country to the point of extremism when their selfish needs are not being met.

Response by Cpl Peter Martuneac made Sep 11 at 2014 4:00 PM

2014-09-11T16:00:13-04:00

This is what happens to a country that hasn't legitimately fought to maintain its freedom in over a hundred years. Not to say that we haven't fought for good causes since then (because that would be an absurdly false claim), but our borders, our way of life has not been in immediate danger of extinction since the 19th century. Liberty has lost its luster to many Americans and will continue to be a dull buzzword until the time comes when it must be fought for again. As the saying goes, every once in a while the tree of liberty must be watered with the blood of tyrants and patriots.

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Sep 11 at 2014 5:11 PM

2014-09-11T17:11:18-04:00

Some time ago a message was sent by ISIS giving a message, see the link below.
Before 911, messages were sent and they seemed to be ignored until 911 happened, thing about 911 was that it was taken as an accident due to a fixed wing aircraft that had crashed in the towers earlier that same year. When the second Jet hit the towers we all knew it was not an accident anymore. Next is the message that was sent by this clown saying :"I'll see you in New York".

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=isil+threatens+new+york+video&FORM=VIRE5#view=detail&mid=AF2140E08618CAE514E0AF2140E08618CAE514E0

isil threatens new york video - Bing Videos

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 5:15 PM

2014-09-11T17:15:26-04:00

SSG Jacob Wiley - This is a very good point you make. I feel those that hated us and still do hate us, this was a very bad time in their lives. However as time passes they get emboldened and start with the patriotism denigration. This is who they are. They would sell out their own mothers just to be vindicated.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 6:12 PM

2014-09-11T18:12:09-04:00

SSG, it's not that we've forgotten, it's the emotions behind event that have faded. As with anything, there's a knee-jerk emotional reaction to dramatic events. Then time passes, emotions die down, empathies and sympathies become far and few. Younger generation who hasn't necessarily experienced that kind of shell shocking experience on their home land doesn't know any better.

Just like we'll NEVER understand the true horrors of WWII because vast majority of them has aged or passed. Same for Vietnam, only those who were there or lived through those rough times understand, NOT the generations after them.

OIF/OEF/AFG campaigns are still fresh on many people's minds, far more fresh than even Vietnam era. Soon even these campaigns will be a distant memory possibly replaced by different campaigns.
So don't think of 9/11 as 'forgotten', more like faded, or desensitized to, all negative emotions removed, because that's how we the humans operate, my friend!

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Sep 12 at 2014 9:09 AM

2014-09-12T09:09:15-04:00

I'm not really sure what connection 9-11 is supposed to have with any of these events being cited. Did 9-11 cause a major change in the flag code that I am unaware of? Was a lack of external flags a major contributor to the structural failure of the towers?

9-11 should have inspired people to study and pay more attention to the world around them, to learn more about different cultures, stay current on world events, force our letter agencies to improve their techniques, our military should be reviewing it's doctrine and methodologies, etc..

But hyper patriotism? I don't think that's ever led to anything positive in human history...

Response by SSG Keith Evans made Sep 12 at 2014 12:38 PM

2014-09-12T12:38:07-04:00

Here's another one. I tend to agree with the original poster, SSG Jacob Wiley . While I don't normally advocate for conscription, if the nation is forgetting, mandatory service of some type may help them remember.

http://qpolitical.com/retired-marine-forced-to-remove-usmc-decals-while-neighbors-keep-obama-stickers/

Retired Marine Forced To Remove USMC Decals While Neighbors Keep Obama Stickers

Wait till you see what the neighbors have on their car...

Response by SGT Marvin "Dave" Bigham made Sep 12 at 2014 12:51 PM

2014-09-12T12:51:38-04:00

"We" have not forgotten, many individuals do not understand what it is to be cursed to repeat the past, but as-a-country, we have not forgotten. There will always be exceptions (and "acceptions") to the "norm" but the majority of red-blooded, free-speaking Americans really KNOW what we lost... our sense of security. They may try to flex their own might to protect what they think is important (for better or worse), but that is their right (and we fight for that right). It's like stealing from your little brother, even if you get away with it and he forgives you, you still know what you did... forgive those with short memories and remember we are there to protect them as best we can.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 29 at 2014 4:41 PM

2014-10-29T16:41:34-04:00

We live in a society that is offended too easily.

It reminds me of the South Park episode with the Sexual Harassment Panda, where everyone sued everyone. (Great episode, by the way.) But, there is merit to a lot of South Park episodes. And I can see an "Everyone vs. Everyone" lawsuit actually happening on the horizon.

Response by SPC Jeffrey Bly made May 8 at 2015 8:15 PM

2015-05-08T20:15:59-04:00

While I agree that people do forget, those that do are doomed to let it repeat.

It is one of my pet peeves that people in America do not fly the flag like a proud people we once were. I see more Puerto Rican flags on rear view mirrors of cars than I do American Flags on flagpoles.

Another thing that chafes my butt is the largest flags I see flying are by car dealerships. What gives them the audacity to do so when I've never trusted a single car salesman I've ever met. (No offense if you're an honest one.)

Americans should fly the flag high and proud, every day, all year long. You may not be happy with your government, but don't raise your nose at the thing so many people died for.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 9 at 2015 4:25 PM

2015-08-09T16:25:43-04:00

We should not accommodate those who hate our flag. This is America. An enclave of folks live with it or move away for the hate they bring.

Response by 1SG Ronald Rieck made Sep 11 at 2015 2:47 PM

2015-09-11T14:47:10-04:00

I spent 2005-2006 as a First Sergeant in Afghanistan. Part of my duties was to daily brief the ISAF command on the SIGNIT. While I was there, around 60 US soldiers died in Afghanistan, and a couple hundred more died in Iraq. What I found distressing was how many of them were killed with weapons that Iran had given the insurgents as their "proxy war" with us....Now with the vote from the Senate to approve the Iran Nuclear Treaty, I have to agree that we, as a society, have forgotten..

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2015 1:02 AM

2015-09-12T01:02:05-04:00

In large part... True. But I'm sure the vast majority feels as we do.

Response by SFC Victoria Shadley aka Wigand aka Ogboo made Sep 12 at 2015 7:06 AM

2015-09-12T07:06:34-04:00

It is a sad day when American's are offended by the American flag and embarrassed or worried about people being offended by the men and women who are giving their lives to protect their lives to be offended. How about they take they take their offended selves and families and choose another country to live in. Who do they call when they get their offended selves in trouble, the uniform wearing National Guard, hmm! I am offended, lol All this pettiness needs to stop and we need to be grateful for the land we live in and the freedom we have, provided for by the men and woman, (past, present and future) that fight for that right for our freedom. Thank all of you here for what you have done. Drive on! I have not forgotten!!!!

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2015 12:39 PM

2015-09-12T12:39:52-04:00

The uniform and the services of the Brothers and Sisters on here speak volumes about the difference between those who DO and those who DO NOT. The membership on this site covers the last third of the 20th century, easily, on up to today. From Viet Nam, the Beirut barracks bombing, Grenada, Panama, Ops. Desert Shield and Storm, Somalia, Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq, and countless other little things in between, the reason WE remember is because we were either there or know someone who was. We've been either directly or indirectly involved in some of the fighting, or picked up the pieces of those who were (literally).

WE don't forget the price, because we've SEEN or LIVED with the price. Since we can't hashtag the fear, sorrow, rage, adrenaline, etc., and twitter how it feels to bear the cost, or the pride of bearing the burden that so many others WILL NOT, the people that DO NOT don't care as much as the people that DO. WE do, because we have the memories and the scars that come with paying for the freedom so many ignorant people never will.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2015 12:41 PM

2015-09-12T12:41:35-04:00

And in 2015, people are burning, stomping on, wiping feces on, and in other ways desecrating the very flag that represents their "right" to do so.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2015 12:49 PM

2015-09-12T12:49:44-04:00

We have NOT forgotten! Just because someone isn't gritting their teeth and saying how angry they are every 5 minutes doesn't mean that we don't care. Of course there are those out there that may not care anymore, but overally I would say that we as a country do still care about what happened on 9/11.