This insignia was officially adopted by the United States Air Force and was displayed on at least one aircraft from each squadron until September 11, 2002 in honor of the American Spirit.
Yesterday a video tape featuring Osama Bin Laden was released and displayed by the Aljazeera network. I知 sure this is causing much teeth gnashing and wailing among certain quarters, as well as joy and smugness in others. The timing of this tape was carefully planned, yet once again these terrorists have misplayed their cards.
I, for one, am glad for the reminder. I remember that Bin Laden has been in hiding for most of the last two years, to the point where his being seen on video is remarkable. I知 reminded that he痴 been reduced to leaflets and occasional internet postings attributed to him. His voice heard on infrequent audio tapes is newsworthy.
I知 reminded that he stood arrogantly in his fortress Afghanistan and mocked the United States and her people, and now the regime that harbored him is no more. The people of that country are rebuilding themselves while struggling to distance themselves from the madness of his radical Islam.
I知 reminded that terrorist networks and financial dealings all over the world have been heavily interdicted. Muslim countries have realized the danger as bombs destroyed their fantasy that the terrorists were strictly anti-western. The terrorists are anti-everything except themselves.
I知 reminded that a disinterested American populace has come together and drawn strength from each other. That strength and resolve has been used to topple yet another despot. And when American soldiers marched into that country, the people there cheered and celebrated their freedom.
I honor the memory of those murdered on 9/11/01 in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and that field in Pennsylvania. I honor the memory of those murdered in Bali, and those killed arresting the terrorists in Pakistan, and those killed by other bombs and attacks all over the world. I honor our soldiers, and those of our many allies.
I also celebrate the courage and strength of those who lived through that day, who directly assisted or indirectly helped in whatever way they could. I honor the policemen, firemen, rescue workers and ambulance drivers, the doctors and nurses, heroes all regardless of nationality or language spoken, that pitch in to right the wrongs inflicted by terrorism wherever it happens.
To those who think we should get over it, I suggest that you should think about the message intended by this latest Bin Laden tape. They hope to intimidate America with their bluster, but the desperation of their situation comes through despite their threatening words. Since that day two years ago, they致e scurried into the dark corners of the world, afraid to openly show themselves for fear of eradication. They talk the talk, but Uncle Sam and his Allies have walked the walk.
This tape was to remind us that we池e supposed to be scared.
I知 reminded that we池e not done winning this war yet.
If you're not interested in (mostly) American symbols of patriotism and remembrance of this day, then please scroll past this message. For those who are still reading, below is a collection of 31 different images relating to 9/11, celebrating 'western' values and the American spirit. There are at least a couple that could be described as international in nature.
If you'd like to put one of these on your blog or website, go for it. In fact, I encourage it*. Tell your friends too.
The images are in the extended entry, click it to see them.
* I'm the collector only, none of these images are mine. Some are copyrighted, and should be used unaltered except for size.
Black square version of the image on the right
Only because it was so much more immediate in my life, I'm tending to focus more on the Pentagon today.
Here is a site about the proposed Pentagon Memorial. I was especially moved by the description of the memorial. Damn, they did a fine job with the design.
Thanks to Dean Esmay for the link.
I see this image almost every day. One of the managers has this posted in full color, blown up to about 2'x3' size. You can't miss it, and everyone walking down this long hallway sees it.
John has posted another image on his site, which was what I had originally planned for today. He did a much better job, by posting a link to the story behind the image. Check it out, it's beautiful.
There's always a silver lining. It's just hard to see sometimes for the size of the dark cloud.
We've proved the point, it's always better to give than to receive.
(click here to see what this is all about)
This nicely sums up the military's role in the War on Terrorism.
Click on the category "9/11 Countdown" over on the right column to see all of the items in the countdown.
Update: Thanks to Pixy, who helped me get the categories to display on the 'posted by' line for each post.
I thought that this was an appropriate start.
Click below to see it. I hope that by doing it this way, I'm saving you dial-uppers some load time. Yes?
If you don't know what this is about, read this.
Over on the right is a small graphic remembering the victims of 9/11/01. Each day until the anniversary, I'll post a cartoon or photo here that is originally from the days and weeks immediately following that day.
At work, I sometimes have to drive past the Pentagon, and I saw firsthand the damage done. I have friends who work at the Pentagon, who were there that tragic day, and fortunately they were physically unharmed.
Following the attacks, a lot of email began to go around with different messages; some inspirational and some patriotic. There were even some attempts at humor, mostly detailing various methods of revenge.
One of my co-workers started printing and hanging these pictures and cartoons on the wall next to his desk. He worked in a rather large open area, and so had plenty of wall space. He continued to hang new pictures, and the wall took on a life of it's own. Many people came down daily to see what new items had been hung up, and people came from other buildings to check the latest.
At about the same time, I started to collect the same email files, but I kept them electronically. Just like the wall, my collection took on a life of it's own, and I gathered political cartoons, video files, photographs, sound files, clip art, text documents, slide shows, and much much more from the internet. I purposely did not include the actual video footage of the aircraft hitting the twin towers. Video clips of that can be found on the internet easily enough for those who wish to see it.
Because of the sheer volume of stuff I was finding, I arbitrarily decided that December 1, 2001 would be the cutoff date for my gathering, and then I put them onto a CD. I burned copies for anyone and everyone at work who wanted them, and kept one for myself. This CD is the source for what I'll be posting.