Truck123
05-30-2004, 12:01 PM
I remember getting a wakeup call, just as I had fallen asleep after a long 12 hour night shift. My older brother said “are you watching TV”, I said no, I am sleeping, he said “turn on the news”. When I turned on the television, I said what happened – and I was told that an airplane crashed into the WTC. Seeing the smoke coming from all windows above the impact, trapped citizens from across the world hanging from windows for fresh air, I did not know what to think. There was talk of an accident, then of it being a terrorist, etc. Then, the second plane hit. At that point, I knew this was no accident. No one wants to hear the word war. With war, you will have death. Knowing many who are serving now, and many who have served in previous battles, I pray for them all. Walking into a local club, and seeing veterans who have served in WW2 and Vietnam, I can do nothing more but shake their hand, buy them a drink, and say thank you. During WW2, the United States lost roughly 652,000 soldiers. Our stint currently has claimed the lives of roughly 500 soldiers. These brave individuals were in the military by choice – not draft. Having 2 kids ages 7 & 6 days, I never want them to see what I had witnessed on 9-11. The tears that I shed along with the millions of American’s and others around the world can never be healed. People can say what they want about the current president of the United States of America. He has helped lift this nation from 9-11 by going to war. All this talk early about there being no weapons of mass destruction, and so much bashing of the current government, and why is that? Recently, a road side bomb detonated, and it contained Sarin gas. How much media did this get? About a weeks worth. The Saddam regime has continuously lied, put the UN inspectors out of the country more than once, but everyone forgets this. I honestly believe that there are United States citizens who can care less about the USA. Back in WW2, the entire country stepped up to the plate for the country. While the husbands were fighting for this country, the wives were home raising the children, running the business, running the farm, doing what was needed to keep this country running. Now, after 9-11, everyone is bashing our government. Everyone is pointing fingers. Why not point the finger at those responsible for the deaths on 9-11. Has the country forgot about this already? What about the 343 firefighters from FDNY who gave the ultimate sacrifice? This country is slowly falling apart, and it is not because of the government. It is because of the citizens who live here, work here, vacation here, and the list goes on and on. I am proud to say that I am an American, and I am proud to be able to sit on my porch, cook steaks on the grill, drink cold beer, and enjoy the freedom of life. For all of you who bash George Bush, think about 9-11, and your family being in the WTC buildings, or the Pentagon, or one of the 4 aircraft that were hijacked & destroyed. Think about your children being killed by these good for nothing terrorists. THIS is the reason we are at war. I applaud the President of the United States, and all of the men and women who are fighting every single day to protect every last one of us. I pity this nation if John Kerry gets into office. Think about the future of your children, and the future of their children - not your own future. That is what we are fighting for. The future of America is in our hands. Imagine what the United States would be like had we not had the brave soldiers in WW2. If the IAFF endorses Kerry, I pity them. My children's lives are more important, and homeland security SHOULD be #1 on everyone's agenda. This was proven on 9-11.