9/11--A History Lesson for all Americans

The most powerful nation in the world was shaken to its core on September 11, 2001, by the actions of just nineteen men. Those al-Qaeda inspired terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners and conducted the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history. A total of 2,977 innocent souls were lost that day in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania.

America came to a standstill, as millions watched the shocking events unfold on national television. People of all religions fell to their knees in prayer, while others cried. Moms and Dads hugged their children and relatives in a special way on 9/11. Suddenly, we remembered how precious life was and promised we would never take it for granted again.

Those horrific acts, even if for a single day, cleansed every American of their political and social differences. No one cared if you were a Republican or a Democrat. We all became blind to skin color, ethnicity, religious affiliation, and personal differences. Americans stood side by side, united as one.

Patriotism burst out in the weeks that followed like a July 4th fireworks display. You couldn't drive through a single neighborhood without seeing an American flag flying proudly in front of someone's home.

Americans donated over 900,000 pints of blood to the Red Cross in a single month. The 34 largest charities in the U.S. were able to raise over 2 billion dollars, and over 70,000 men and women joined the military to help defend our nation.

Yes, for a millisecond in God's universe, we loved our country and we truly loved one other.

As the months and years ticked by, America's renaissance of national pride and the genuine love for one another died a slow, natural death, as our country lapsed back into its divisive, dysfunctional mode.

In 2015, our political leaders are once again focused on trying to herd us like cattle into opposing groups, separating us by race, ethnicity, gender, and political affiliation. President Obama, the Congress, and the current batch of presidential candidates are back to their childish ways--hurling insults and blaming one another, rather than finding common ground and solving problems. And sadly, we live in a more dangerous time now, than we did before 9/11.

There's no doubt America's homeland will be attacked again by those who wish to destroy our way of life, and once again, the people of the United States will rise together as one to defend our constitutional Republic. It's embedded in our DNA. But will we ever learn from history, and put our nation on the course our founding fathers so carefully mapped out?

As another anniversary of 9/11 comes and goes may we never forget the passengers aboard United Airlines flight 93. They already had knowledge of the attacks on the Twin Towers and knew their plane was going to be used as a missile to possibly kill hundreds of additional fellow citizens. That's when that special DNA of courage and love of country kicked in.

I share with you the last moments of just one of those brave passengers. Thomas Burnett Jr., age 38, was the father of three girls--five-year-old twins and a four-year-old. He called his wife four times from the plane that fateful morning, and she later remarked, "I could tell they were formulating a plan." His last phone call, and his final words, should never be forgotten. "I know we're all going to die. There are three of us who are going to do something about it. I love you, honey."

May God bless the U.S.A.