This Sunday marked the 15th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and two other locations. Forever it will be known as 9/11/01 and it should be a constant reminder that our world was changed forever. There is very little chance that we will ever see suicide pilots on such a grand scale again, but the newer tactics are just as lethal, more agile, require less planning and are harder to detect. This means we now have to rely on human intelligence more than ever and I’ve read that we have stopped more than 100 planned attacks in the US this year. All off this is going on by our security agencies in secret and without thanks or notice, yet it is vital.
We have a weapon that can be seen and for which we should be incredibly proud. It is the F-35 Fighter Jet. It will maintain our air superiority for many years to come and there are 100 of them at Luke Air Force Base right now. We’ve begun training pilots from all over the world. Hopefully we’ll never have to use them, but we’ll have them in case we do.
We were completely unprepared for 9/11/01 in part because we didn’t have the kind of imagination that would allow us to envision anyone so radicalized that they would train for months to commit suicide. Now we know there are many who are ready and willing to do so. We’ve had to dramatically change our thinking about “war” because we are not fighting against anything as identifiable as an enemy uniform.
While there are those who are using the US Flag as a symbol for their grievance, this weekend would be a good time to remember the attitude and spirit of September 12th. 2001. US flags were flying everywhere. Strangers embraced and hundreds of people lost their lives while saving others. The common man became a super hero. Out of total chaos came the strongest patriotism seen since the end of WWII.
Put aside your personal complaints for just one day and remember how together we were on that day. In this country, pride can be taken in so many things. The US flag is symbolic of freedom. You are so free here that you can even disrespect it without punishment. Think about that. There are few countries in the world that allows you such luxury. Seen and unseen there are thousands of men and woman working every day to preserve your freedom to be a jerk. Why not just take one day and remember how it was on 9/11/01?
Sincerely,
Art Dyer
Cave Creek
