A few thoughts on the 8th anniversary of 9/11

[jvowles]

Everyone's musing about their reaction, two presidential terms later, to the events of that bright September day way back in 2001. But amidst all the "never forget!" and varying degrees of worn-on-your-sleeve sentiment, I worry that we'll forget the lessons we SHOULD have learned...and in many cases have not

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[lacousteau]

I woke Allan up early to come and see the news. We sat and talked about what we were seeing from our point of view...medicine. "There won't be enough blood, we're in crisis now." "Who's closest? Is that St.Vincent's?" "They don't have the space or the staff, now with the budget cuts." "They'll have to job out to every hospital in Manhattan. Do you think that they will ship the non-essentials out to us?"

Allan went to work and was crushed when he got the call for blood and had to tell them that he could only give 3-4 units. The blood crisis had the hospital rationing units as it was. We were proud of the fact that, in spite of budget cuts year after year, hospital personnel stepped up. Not only did they report to work without being mandated, they brought food and water, blankets and other supplies that the hospitals were sure to run short. People were sleeping on the Physical Therapy mats in case they were needed. The call went out for blood and, thankfully, the people responded.

My heart went out to the shop owners who had, effectively, just lost their business...the local diners and convenience stores. They opened their doors and fed the rescue crews and comforted the survivors for free with what was left of their lively-hood. They gave all they had, most probably knowing that many of their customers were trapped in the rubble, that the roads would be closed for a long time and that their financial situation had just gone from bad to worse. Still they gave.

I have very not popular views of this day. I feel that the government dropped the ball long before the buildings fell. I truly feel that the government itself was at fault just as much as the terrorists; that some politician's grandstanding in the face of this tragedy was pure propaganda. Should we honor this day? YES. Should it be made to be some "We're not gonna take it" Statement? NO. We should celebrate the lessons to be learned from that day.

Instead of pompous speech making and a reminder to dress in red, white and blue and wave your little plastic flag, we should remember that we are not as secure as we thought we were. Teach our children what to do to be safe. Have community programs that outline what the country, state, county and towns are going to do to help their people in a crisis; whether it be a hurricane or a terrorist attack. The local supermarket here has a program on how to make a disaster kit for the home. They do it for hurricane season, but it does apply to most crisis situations.

I am willing to trade "We'll never forget" for "We will always be prepared." The best thing we can take away from 9/11, is the conviction to never let it happen again.