September 11, 2001: Reflecting on Ten Years

Three pictures, one theme.  America…love it or leave it.

These three pictures always make me think of 9/11 and just how lucky we are to live in this country.  I am an American first and foremost.  Political parties are just country clubs for politicians.

The upper left is a shot from the Mississippi State vs Air Force Academy baseball series in 2008.  People seem to forget that just because they play ball, that they are also in the United States Air Force.  Before every baseball game, the Star Spangled Banner is played.  The crowd stands.  Some sing.  Some place their hand over their heart.  Most look around and wait for it to be over.  These college kids who are in the Air Force, come out, stand at rigid attention, throw a prefect salute, and eyeball the American flag until AFTER the anthem is over.  Respectful and reverent.  Makes you proud to know that these young men are the guardians of our country.

In the upper right, you have a skydiver flying in the American flag.  Against a beautiful blue sunlit sky, it is an awe inspiring site.  But what you don’t see is the chase man on the ground.  The skydiver is coming in at about 20 MPH,  The chase man has one job:  Pace the skydiver, and keep the flag off the ground.  I was in Omaha at the College World Series this year and watched as the chase man slipped, tumbled, and fell down during the chase.  But he popped right back up, gave chase, and then dove and hit the ground to make sure the flag did not.

The large shot is used courtesy the AP and the Dallas Morning News.  It is a shot of Kyle Field on the campus of Texas A&M University at the first home game after September 11.  Look at the image.  There is nothing I can say that is not said in that image.

So argue politics and parties all you want, but NEVER forget the September 11 tragedy, and always remember what this country can, does, and will do to show we are still the greatest country in the world.

Listen and reflect

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