9-11: A REMEMBRANCE 2013

9-11 

2013

A REMEMBRANCE

You are viewing one of the most memorable photos that we as citizens of the United States will ever view.  It is about courage; it is about love of country; and it is about honoring our fallen heroes of 9-11.

It is now 9-11 and the year is 2013.  Do you remember where you were 12 years ago when this American tragedy unfolded?  Do you remember the way people treated each other the first month after 9-11?

I remember it like it was yesterday.  Besides the pain and the death and the families that were sent into turmoil, I remember that people changed for a few short days.  I remember strangers talking to each other in stores; in parking lots; at gas stations; and sharing a bond that was remarkable.

It was a short lived bond.  This bond was forgotten and broken many years ago.  Sadly enough many will not even think about 9-11 in 2013 or look at the news programs and the memorials occurring all over our county.

What did we learn from 9-11?  We learned that we are a country that is not free.  We also learned that we are a country that can be damaged by zealots.  We also learned that America is strong and that we will fight those that kill innocents.  We can never forget that with freedom comes responsibility and that only working together we can decrease the threats of the insane that threaten our freedom.

Leo Buscaglia my mentor had it right when he said:

“The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot
learn, feel, change, grow or love.
Chained by his certitude, he is a slave; he has forfeited his freedom.
Only the person who risks is truly free.” 
― Leo Buscaglia

That is the lesson of 9-11!  Life is precious and very short.  We never know when it will be snuffed out and we will leave planet earth.

"Only the person who risks is truly free" -that is what Leo stated and that is how he lived his life.

So on 9-11 in 2013 let us not let the day pass without committing ourselves to risk.  Risk in helping others; risk in sharing our vulnerability; risk in placing ego at #10 and LOVE at #1; and risk in diminishing ourselves as we elevate others.

To the families who have lived with loss for 12 years and for eternity, I send my love and prayers.

To those who were not born when 9-11 -2001 happened, you must pick up the torch of risk and bring freedom to others with the gifts of compassion and concern.

Don DeForge, VMD

Animal Doc AM Multi-Media

9-11  ---2013

E-Mail DonDeForge@aol.com with comments about this Blog