Very few words can express the depth of sadness, shock and outrage of that day, now falling into a clouded and politically overshadowed memory. 9/11 and its impression has fallen too many as just an ill-fated number. The regrettable part is too few actually recall the full significance of that fateful day. They remember the date, the incident but have lost remembrance of the cavernous emotions and the reinvigorated national attitude generated by the heinous act of an enemy still among us in the global community.

Most Americans still remember ever word of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s beginning phrase in a speech delivered on December 8, 1941, “Yesterday, December 7, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked,” this phrase uttered in an era of war and was the prelude to America’s entry into to World War two, and again American blood would protect the world.

This was also a time of national patriotic solidarity focused on a common enemy bent on dominating the globe. All Americans of both political philosophies worked, cried and bleed together as one and the Great Society was born. And today 68 years later we remember.

What has changed in our society and our nation that in just a scant 8 years so many can forget the significance of 9/11/01. The beginning phrase of President George W. Bush’s speech delivered that inauspicious day should be just as ingrained, for its composition was as important and similar to Roosevelt’s in words and implication.

“Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts.”

Yet quite sadly, hardly anyone remembers. President Bush’s closing phrase was just as stirring and vital,

“This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.”

And for a woefully short time his words were a description of the majority of the American people. Only those with a skewed sense of agenda refused, most of their opinions polluted by the tragedies of Viet Nam that spurred the anti-war movement.

Shamefully the final sentence of the speech has proved less than prophetic for a congregate of “Americans”, and an evident national disgrace.

Darryl Worley’s “Song Have You Forgotten” has become more visionary in that the question must be asked. Listen to the song carefully for a poignant reminder.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_-x9kMPauc

Worley said about writing the song, “I did want the people that it was written for, the men and women that died in the tragedy of 9/11 and their families, the men and women that wore the uniforms here in our country and then last but not least, our military troops that were in Afghanistan takin' care of business. I just wanted to do something to honor them."

How appalling the honor and the feeling of this song are missing from our national memory and our convictions, except on the date of it’s anniversary. Yet even on this commemorative day the conviction is vacant. And what appears more deplorable is the media’s reminder each year offers the impression that the effort is more about driving ratings than remembrance.

Listen to the song again, remember the pain and the anguish of that day. Remember the thousands of our enemies that marched in the streets shouting joyful approval at our sorrow and heartache. The same enemy is still cheering as we mourn.

Have You Forgotten? I Never Will.

If you enjoyed, derived benefit from or gained any insight from this article please click the green button below. If you are so inclined, all comments are welcomed.

Links to other articles I have written related to this subject are listed below. A Listing of all my work can be reviewed by clicking here or on my profile at the top of the page.

Thank you for taking the time to visit.

Please also see:

The Pledge of  Allegiance as it was Intended    http://hubpages.com/hub/pledgeofalliengenceintent

Remembering the Heroes Inside Us All

http://hubpages.com/hub/Remembering-The-Heroes-Inside-Us-All