“September 11, 2001. Rising tide of freedom.” This is the final event in the timeline song that Annabelle is learning for school. For the past two years, these have just been words and hand motions…then came this year.
Barrett was honored to be asked to pray for the 9/11 memorial service at Forth Buchanan this year. The chapel pews were colored with uniforms from ranks of all services as well as first responders. As the kids and I toddled in, a slide show was running showing that day’s destruction. The twins ran along the pews playing with the hymnals while Annabelle stood mesmerized by the images. “Do you remember the last line of the timeline song Annabelle?” She sang it with me. “This is what it is talking about.” I went on to explain how men flew airplanes into those buildings and killed many Americans. “Were they bad men?” Yes, Annabelle. “Did they do it because they wanted power?” Yes, Annabelle and they wanted to cause fear. That is called terrorism. “Oh.”
We noticed a Marine nearby. He is one of only 15 Marines stationed in Puerto Rico. (I have to admit, seeing the dessert cami’s warmed my heart a little.) He was stationed in Okinawa the same time that we were and one of his kids was even born at the new Naval hospital there. We exchanged a few more personal stories when I asked him a favor, could he help me teach Annabelle something? “Of course.” He sat down in our pew and, with Annabelle listening in, I asked him if he remembered where he was on September 11, 2001. “Yes. In my high school math class…we all watched it on TV. Football practice was cancelled and our parents came to pick us up.” Did that day have any affect on you wanting to wear that uniform? “Yes! Of course!” Annabelle looked at him shyly as she saw how this one day affected this young man’s life. He went from being a high school football player whose biggest worry was completing homework in order to be eligible to play a game, to becoming a Marine Corp officer who willingly serves and fights for his country so other boys can simply worry about completing their homework to play football.
The images continued to fill our eyes as my own memories of that day flooded my mind. My heart broke once again for the families who lost a husband, wife, dad, mom, daughter, or son. Yet how quickly we have forgotten that terror? How quickly do we forget the men and women who gave up their lives to keep more terror like this from happening in our borders? How many in the services (military, police, firefighters, and all first responders alike) were driven to sacrifice their lives and freedoms for ours because of this day? How many coffins have been lovingly draped with the American Flag to honor the soul of the person within?
Seeing the sadness in Annabelle’s eyes over the loss of life from this day made my heart burn to teach her and the twins to honor the flag, to respect this and all Marines and servicemen/women, to learn the pledge of allegiance and to stand with their hand over their hearts when the “Star Spangled Banner” is played and sung. We will learn about our history, good and bad and learn from it. Freedom is not free. We will fight for what is right and true, but we will use our freedom of speech with respect and honor as all people are made in the image of God and have intrinsic value. Oh Lord, help me raise my image bearers to love you and love their neighbors, to be servant leaders, and to respect those who fight for the freedoms you have gifted us with.