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We Were Our Own Heroes

A BUZZFLASH READER COMMENTARY
by Mary MacElveen

Two years ago, America suffered a truly catastrophic attack upon our nation. We did not need any elected leaders or a selected leader to help us rise to the challenge to face this horrific attack. On that day, we became our own heroes. We as Americans mobilized on our own, because as Americans that is what makes us truly American.

When such an event happens, some look to place blame immediately, but some rise to the challenge to help our dead, our wounded and those that can be saved. On that day, the ones who took the lead as our heroes were firefighters, police officers and emergency medical personnel. As emergency personnel were racing up the stairs of the World Trade Towers looking to save people, many were ultimately climbing those stairs to the Gates of Heaven.

On that day, we came together demanding that this attack not be politicized by any of our leaders and for some time that was the mantra. But over time those with ulterior motives did just that. They used lies to attack innocent people under the guise of our war on terrorism. So, more died and that is simply inexcusable, my fellow Americans. Our victims of September 11th cry out from the heavens urging us all to seek peace and not war. It is my belief that in heaven there is no vengeance, only peace. With this belief, we as a nation must continue to work on the side of peace in their name.

On that bright summer's day the light of our civil liberties were still intact. Those that died on that day knew full well that past blood was spilled in order to give us these liberties. Liberties that were cast aside in their name. It dishonors our dead to take that away from the survivors of this attack.

On that bright summer's day, many of us were in our own shock and awe. We never thought what was happening to us, that our own government was warned. Well, we were, and our government let us down. Our government let down those who died on that day. In their name, we must keep this in the public's mind. We must keep pressuring our elected leaders to hold this administration accountable for this intelligence failure.

On that bright summer's day while there was this mobilization, there was also chaos, but some of our elected leaders were spirited away to safer places. Our selected leader was not even heard from for many hours and we, as a terrorized nation, deserved better. But, in all of this chaos, we became our own heroes and that is truly the American way.

On that bright summer's day, we never thought that our leaders would approve of the secrecy that surrounds any investigation into this attack. That does not happen in an open democracy. It defiles the memory of those who died on that day that those responsible will probably never be held accountable.

Next year, in all likeliness, our selected leader will use the third anniversary of this horrific attack upon our nation at the Republican National Convention, which will be held in New York City. He will use these victims and resurrect them as Republican supporters, where they should be left to rest in peace. He will make himself out to be the hero of that day, which he was not.

As we face this day, let us all remember those that died, those that were maimed, and those that survived. Also, let us remember on that day, we Americans were our own heroes. As we mourn those who died, in their name, let us continue to be their champions for truth, justice and the American way.

A BUZZFLASH READER COMMENTARY