September 11 Anniversaries Got It Wrong

By Donald P. "Don" Wagner

Don Wagner was invited to address the participants in the Irvine Valley College second annual Patriot Day Rememberance. Here is the text of Mr. Wagner's remarks.

Now, though, two years have gone by. We don't see as many flags today. The second anniversary commemorations seemed to assume that we were a different country after September 11. But I wonder. Was that TV ad right? Did 9/11 really change America?

I think not.

The World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks were a defining moment in American history. But they did not change us. We were not a different people after September 11, 2001. We were just reminded of, and re-dedicated to, what is important. In this nation's response to 9/11 we revealed a strength to the world that has always been there in our character.

America has always managed to find the heroes she needs when most she needs them. The Minutemen grabbed their rifled and marched out to face the British. The Rough Riders charged up San Juan Hill. There is Midway, Omaha Beach, the Chosen Reservoir. So too with September 11. After all, that was not just the day the terrorists attacked. It is also the day, in the skies above a Pennsylvania field, that America took the fight back to the terrorists. The words "Let's Roll!" burned into our minds.

We continue to take the fight to the terrorists. American men and women are serving and fighting and dying in Afghanistan and Iraq. Their cause is just; they deserve our prayers.

Last spring in Irvine a memorial for the American service men and women who lost their lives in Iraq was erected in a city park. Every disk, candles were lit and taps was played by volunteers. At one point, when the memorial had grown to 30 or so lost servicemen, the City tried to have it removed because it was an "inappropriate" political statement on public property. The public outcry quickly made the City back down. This was also consistent with the American character. In earlier times, in response to a misguided government edict, we threw tea in the harbor.

The display finally came down in a dignified fashion at a time of the community's choosing + over the last Fourth of July weekend. A few days before that, as the end drew near, a special candle lighting ceremony was held that included a Marine color guard from Camp Pendleton. My wife and I attended with our 13 year old son and a friend of his. They are typical boys. They lost no one they knew on 9/11 or in Afghanistan or Iraq. But something about that ceremony grabbed hold of them. They understood + perhaps for the first time + what this fight against terrorism, what all this talk of sacrifice, is all about. They went back the next night and each of the remaining nights of the display. Ans while there, they went up to each veteran they could find, shook their hands, and thanked them for their service.

These are thirteen year old boys. They got it. And so did everyone else who attended. It is from the ranks of these citizens, and especially from our ordinary young men and women, that this country has always found her heroes.

Did September 11 change America? The tens of thousands who answered the call that terrible day, who answered the call in Afghanistan and Iraq during the following months, who answered the calls in past generations, and who will answer the calls in future times, would all say that we have not changed, and what we have is still worth fighting for.

But please make no mistake. Those future calls will come. More fighting will be needed. It is said that the price of liberty is eternal vigilance. That has not changed since 9/11. We must do our duty and pay that price. It is our turn to be vigilant. Let's roll.