Forgetful America

Now I know it is impossible to remember absolutely everything you see or hear. But do you think, for once, that we can keep some memories alive?

Go up and ask someone when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred (preferrably a young person). I did. The response is astounding. Did you hesitate? From "December 6?" to "I honestly don't know," I laughed, but pondered the intrinsic significance of this question and the second day other than December 7, 1941, that will live in infamy. Of course this is 9/11.

However horrible that day may be, however horrible the war it may have started, however horrible the lives that were lost directly or indirectly due to the attacks, one thing remains. We must remember. We must honor, we must cherish, we must remember. Already the could-not-care-less America is beginning to make its way through. Of course, I am speaking from the perspective of a college student, who is bound to see the world in the way only I want it to be seen.

But if you see as I see, if you feel as I feel, then you must have many questions. How many do you think watched the Presidential address this year (and took it seriously, for that matter)? How many of you watched it? Did you not feel obligated to do so? Was it not important enough for you? Or did you watch, as I did (this is not a critical analysis of it, don't worry)? Did you listen intently, and make your own arguments or agreements? Did you pray to whatever God in which you believe today? Did you truly remember the sacrifices Americans, our brethren, made on that day? Or did you let it pass, as September 11, 2001 should have? How lost will 9/11 be in five more years? I truly cannot say. I believe today was mentioned once to me, in passing. A sort of nod, an obligatory one, not sacred. And it was then that I truly became filled with anger, hatred, sadness, for many of my generation. We let this day pass, we let it pass all too normally. So abhorrent, and shameful our forgetfulness, I can only blame myself for not putting enough significance in it. I hope in fifty years someone does not ask, "What day was the terrorist attack?" only to garner the response of "Sometime in September?"

Always, always remember those who fell for you. For they were truly Americans...