9/11

Its been 14 years since that day.

I was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. I was part of the 2nd battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Calvary Division. I woke up that morning having just come back from the a 30 day field exercise. My plans for the day were to relax and spend some time with my girlfriend at the time. I got dressed and headed to her house which was about an hour away. When I got there I walked in and her and her family were sitting around the television. They started to explain to me what had happened and I continued to watch as the second plane crashed into the second tower. I felt then what I continue to feel today. Sadness for those that were killed. Hatred for those that took the lives of so many and attacked my country. That hatred would grow into an understanding that what they did was orchestrated by something greater than they were.

I then received a phone call from my Platoon SGT. that I needed to get back to base. When I arrived back at the base I spent what seemed like forever in traffic. The base was locked down and they were only allowing soldiers and families back on the base. I reported back to my Platoon SGT that I was back on base and on Monday morning we were briefed about what had happened. I wouldn’t be until February of 2004 when I would first deploy with the 1st Infantry Division to Tikrit, Iraq, but I can tell you that we trained hard and we worked hard to prepare for going.

Life changed so much in the Army after 9/11. Before, bases were open and you could come and go as you pleased. After 9/11 checkpoints were put in place, showing a valid ID was a norm and if you had visitors you had to sign them in and they were only allowed on base for 24 hours. Barricades went up in front of all HQ buildings and life just in general on base changed. We also started receiving new equipment to prepare for the worst.

One thing that I do remember the most about 9/11 has nothing to do with the military, but has to do with America. During the Gulf war I was in 3rd Grade and I remember placing yellow ribbons on trees and as young as I was, I can still remember how it felt to be an American. It felt great. That same feeling was here in America after 9/11 happened. The country came together and became stronger.

What has happened America? Why do we need to have wars to come together as One Nation under God? It seems like throughout the history of our nation it takes attacks on our soul to bring us together as a nation. The revolutionary war, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, 9/11, what will it take to keep our country strong and together. We are no longer a United States, but a Divided States of America. As president Lincoln said, a house Divided is a house that Falls.

What we have allowed in this country since 9/11 is the ability for our government to rule over every aspect of our lives, for what, safety? If this country doesn’t wake up and realize that the Government can’t keep us safe that we as the people of this Nation are our only hope then we will become a great Nation again. The government can’t even keep out illegals and they say they can keep us safe. We have allowed corruption, greed, and Satan to infiltrate our Nation and only the American people can take it back.

Please take a moment of silence today to thank all those Soldiers that paid the ultimate sacrifice to give you the freedoms that you are allowing the government to take away. Take a moment of silence for the Men and Woman that are still on the front lines defending a freedom that they will not have when they return. Take a moment of silence also for all the Men and Woman around our Country that put their lives on the line to keep us safe at home. If we remember that we wouldn’t be here without them, maybe we might just come together now more than we have ever needed to before.

To all my fellow brothers and sisters at Arms, the true war has just begun. The war to defend our rights here in America. The war to get what we deserve as Veterans. We must stand together and use everything we have to defeat the VA and the Government that is killing our Veterans. I thank you all for your service. And to those that we lost, I thank you for our ultimate sacrifice. To those families that have lost a soldier, there is no pain greater, but there is no debt higher that can be paid. I wish you all the best and know that as a Veteran I am fighting to keep your memories alive and to ensure they didn’t sacrifice their lives for nothing.

America!!! – Always will be and forever – One Nation Under God!!!!