The word hero is one that is overused in society. Too may times we hear that this person is a hero or that person is a hero, and normally these people are just doing the right thing or doing their job. On the anniversary of 9/11 I think we should sit back, take a moment, and remember what the word hero really means. We should also honor all of the heroes that lost their lives that terrible day so that others could go home to their families. The firefighters, police officers, and volunteers who ran toward danger as everyone else was running away. The brave passengers aboard flight 93 who sacrificed their own lives so that another target would not be destroyed by the terrorists who threatened our nation and our way of life on that day.
Remembering 9/11 and our country immediately following that horrific day makes me think about the state of our country today. As you listen to the news regardless of which news agency you prefer, almost all of the rhetoric is focused on how to divide our country. We hear that Black Lives Matter, Police Lives Matter, the rich are suppressing the poor, trans genders are being discriminated against in some way, Republican vs. Democrats, and no matter what your political or personal beliefs on these things are you have to admit that these are all ways to divide the people of our country into separate groups. On 9/11/2001 and for the period directly following, the only group that people identified as was American. This was an act of war that threatened everything we have come to know and love in this country. No one cared if you were black, white, rich, poor, gay, straight, or anything else under the sun. Americans only cared that you were an American which meant you were on the same side of this new war on terror.
I will start this by personally thanking all those who have fought for me and this country in one way or another. This includes my brothers and sisters in arms, police officers, fire fighters, EMT’s, and everyone else who has an occupation that puts them in danger so the people of America can enjoy waking up and knowing that they are free and safe. I want to thank all of those heroes who run towards the dangers that others are running away from. Regardless of your occupation or situation I want to thank you for your actions, service, or duties. I invite everyone to take a moment on this day and be thankful for the fact that our country is filled with so many of these people. Remember that the division that the media promotes will never result in anything but anger and chaos. Remember that we are all Americans and that means something.
The coins below were designed to honor our fallen heroes.
