Remembering 9/11

September 11, 2001, is a day that will not be forgotten in U.S. That day the worst terrorist attack on America and one of the worst atrocities committed on American soil was committed.

The attack did not happen on the military or a government target. Rather on the country’s people. This attack symbolized the growing threat of Radical Islam in the world. This form of radicalism is where they attack innocent people of a nation rather than that nation’s army.

Before 9/11 happened, the U.S. was entering a transition period. The government was shifting from the Clinton Administration to the Bush Administration. The latter had promised to be a “compassionate conservative” during his campaign (slides). President Bush’s campaign promises were lost on many because of how soon after his election 9/11 happened. Most don’t even remember what is promises were because of this.

The nation was at war within the first 10 months of Bush’s election with an enemy we didn’t know. The administration called for the immediate surrender of Osama Bin Laden by the Afghanistan government who refused. Therefore the U.S’s commander in chief mad it known that we were coming to get him.

I will never forget the things that happened on that day. I was a sophomore in high school and in JROTC. We were conducting our annual inspection that day.

I was unaware of the happenings until after the second plane hit the towers. Being in command of a Drill and Ceremony Team kept me away from the news. I was on a field marching in uniform at 15 years old.

The repercussions of that day will forever be embedded in the minds of those that knew America before 9/11. The Patriot Act laid down laws that were not clearly defined. Opening the door to unconstitutional acts by government law enforcement officials.

These are issues that have continued to plague the American people since their inception. Some of these laws have been challenged and over turned. Others remain in place.

One thing for certain is that those old enough to remember do. In stark detail most can tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing. Some can even tell you how that day changed their lives and behavior forever.