To the editor:

The tragedy of September 11, 2001 will forever be ingrained in the memory of those who lost loved ones and those who survived the dastardly attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. Even those who witnessed it from afar will always remember what they were doing the moment they heard the horrifying news or saw it unfold on television. Just as Pearl Harbor has lived on in the recollection of those old enough to recall the events of that bleak day on December 07, 1941, so will the events of September 11, 2001 live on in the recollection of this generation.

A joint resolution of Congress on December 18, 2001 known as Public Law 107-89 authorized and requested President George W. Bush designate September 11 of each year as “Patriot Day.” This September 11 will be the third annual recognition of those who died on that fateful day in 2001. A brief time of remembrance is suggested at 8:46 A.M. eastern daylight time for those murdered at the hands of hate mongers on that day.

Patriot Day is also about the men and women fighting the war on terrorism or perhaps a better identifier is a war on Islamic fanaticism both here and abroad. It is about all the men and women who place their lives on the line each day in our communities protecting life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

One way you can take part and show your resolve and support for our country is to display the United States flag on this day. The American Legion Post 20 plans to publicly display the flag of freedom, Flag of the United States, at New Live Oak Cemetery in honor of the victims–whose untimely deaths were for no other reason than simply being Americans or for being in America–who died on September 11, 2001 and in honor and support for those on the home front and abroad whose duty it is to defend and protect.

The task ahead will not be an easy one nor will it be quickly resolved. It will surely test our resolve as a nation and as freedom loving individuals to overcome. The battle lines are being drawn within the population as to how much individual freedom we are willing to relinquish for the security and the greater good of all. Opponents say none, while proponents say some is necessary to weed out the fanatical extremists bent on destroying us completely.

It is all rather scary when you look at the totality of what is at stake and the great divide within our country at this time. On this issue, politics should take a back seat to the welfare of the people and this great land. Whatever happened to statesmanship?

James G. Smith, Commander

The American Legion Post 20