You and I may clearly remember a day and time, just six short years ago, when the idea and feeling of a calm Monday morning were as readily available as each breath we take. Freedom was our life, in its purest form. For some, our cares were little, yet important, and the popular need for allegiance to our flag as foggy and distant a notion as the week that just passed. In some circles, the spirit of our country was even the butt of our peers’ jokes, and more often than not, when approached in discussion, the main topic approached was the right to burn our flag, as opposed to displaying it with rightful honor and reverence.
Then it was Tuesday. From this point forward, a new era of fear dawned upon what was once a sunny day. You were in your classrooms, and my friends and I were stationed on a U.S. military base. Our mornings and nights were forever changed. At the time, phrases like “Never Forgotten” were commonplace amongst the most trivial of venues, and our flag somehow transformed into the latest trend. Patriotism, for at least a little while, became cool.
It’s been six years now, and again I’m feeling the same detrimental aura of apathy permeating throughout our generation. So, for now, it is my solemn hope that each of you will use this sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 tragedy to not only reflect, but perhaps reassert your own patriotism.
This is a task that people from all walks of life, politically and otherwise, can agree on and most definitely find common ground. Our generation, our future children’s generation and even our future children’s children’s generation depend on it. Freedom is a living thing that takes careful protection, proper nourishment and exercise. Not to do so is like raising a child, yet only feeding them when your friends come over, if only to not look like a bad parent, and still expecting him to grow up strong.
I realize full well that we all don’t agree on many things. I also know that this very note may spark retaliation from the immature hearts of the radicals of our day. Yet, this reality, coupled with our nation’s unique right to turn these conflicting sentiments into policy is what our flag stands for. We are all Americans, and we owe at least that much to those who came before us. If anything, it should be our legacy. May it begin today, and last far beyond tomorrow.
Matt Patton
Navy veteran
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