Patriot Day

September 11, 2009 — I did not know that this is Patriot Day and not Patriot's Day or Patriots' Day which is an observance for an entirely different event in the history of our country. Well Wikipedia straightened me out about this.

Patriot Day was established by H.R Resolution 71 in October 2001 and signed into law by then President George W. Bush in December of that year. This day and the tragic events that occurred are more commonly referred to as 9/11 or September 11th. It's a day when the President of the United States asks us to fly our flags at half-staff, orders them to be done so at all U.S. government buildings at home and abroad, and for us to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 A.M. EDT in remembrance of the 2,974 causalities on that day. I believe it is also a day we should thank the men and women of our police and fire departments for their service. So many of these dedicated professionals and their families have suffered greatly because of the events of 9/11. So many paid the ultimate price for their bravery.

The images of 9/11 should be etched in the minds of every American that was alive on September 11, 2001. They are images that should cause us to realize that freedom is not free and that there are those in this world that would do anything to take that freedom away from us. They are images that clearly show why we have our dedicated and brave men and women of our armed forces serving in far off distant places such as Iraq and Afghanistan. They bring to life and purpose why it is that we seek out those terrorist that would stop at nothing to take away our freedom. They give purpose to why it is important to hold these terrorist accountable.

If you fly a flag at your home, I hope it is at half-staff today. I hope also that you will observe the moment of silence and pray that generations of Americans to come do not have to live through events such as those of 9/11...it's what really matters!