It's been almost two years that I never write in this blog due to my forgetfulness of the password.. :PWell today, as I start to write again.. I do want to write something about 11/9..
Yeah, as we all know that today is not just an ordinary day for Americans and maybe the world population..
A decade ago, an unforgettable accident or more better to be said deadly 'attack' happened in WTC. However, today is a memorial day not only for 11/9 attack but also is the six-month anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. It was quite coincidental that today, something appalling also happen in Ambon, Indonesia yeah.. a clash between two groups because of the death of a pedicab driver.
I start to think of a lesson that I could learn today, and I kinda startled to read a speech of President Obama in the memorial service last year..
The perpetrators of this evil act didn’t simply attack America; they attacked
the very idea of America itself -- all that we stand for and represent in the
world. And so the highest honor we can pay those we lost, indeed our greatest
weapon in this ongoing war, is to do what our adversaries fear the most -- to
stay true to who we are, as Americans; to renew our sense of common purpose; to
say that we define the character of our country, and we will not let the acts of
some small band of murderers who slaughter the innocent and cower in caves
distort who we are.
They doubted our will, but as Americans we persevere. Today, in Afghanistan and
beyond, we have gone on the offensive and struck major blows against al Qaeda
and its allies. We will do what is necessary to protect our country, and we
honor all those who serve to keep us safe.
They may seek to strike fear in us, but they are no match for our resilience. We do not succumb to fear, nor will we squander the optimism that has always defined us as a people. On a day when others sought to destroy, we have chosen to build, with a National Day of Service and Remembrance that summons the inherent goodness of the American people.
They may seek to exploit our freedoms, but we will not sacrifice the liberties we cherish or hunker down behind walls of suspicion and mistrust. They may wish to drive us apart, but we will not give in to their hatred and prejudice. For Scripture teaches us to “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
They may seek to spark conflict between different faiths, but as Americans we are not -- and never will be -- at war with Islam. It was not a religion that attacked us that September day -- it was al Qaeda, a sorry band of men which perverts religion. And just as we condemn intolerance and extremism abroad, so will we stay true to our traditions here at home as a diverse and tolerant nation. We champion the rights of every American, including the right to worship as one chooses -- as service members and civilians from many faiths do just steps from here, at the very spot where the terrorists struck this building.
Those who attacked us sought to demoralize us, divide us, to deprive us of the very unity, the very ideals, that make America America -- those qualities that have made us a beacon of freedom and hope to billions around the world. Today we declare once more we will never hand them that victory. As Americans, we will keep alive the virtues and values that make us who we are and who we must always be.
For our cause is just. Our spirit is strong. Our resolve is unwavering. Like generations before us, let us come together today and all days to affirm certain inalienable rights, to affirm life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness. On this day and the days to come, we choose to stay true to our best selves -- as one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
They may seek to strike fear in us, but they are no match for our resilience. We do not succumb to fear, nor will we squander the optimism that has always defined us as a people. On a day when others sought to destroy, we have chosen to build, with a National Day of Service and Remembrance that summons the inherent goodness of the American people.
They may seek to exploit our freedoms, but we will not sacrifice the liberties we cherish or hunker down behind walls of suspicion and mistrust. They may wish to drive us apart, but we will not give in to their hatred and prejudice. For Scripture teaches us to “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
They may seek to spark conflict between different faiths, but as Americans we are not -- and never will be -- at war with Islam. It was not a religion that attacked us that September day -- it was al Qaeda, a sorry band of men which perverts religion. And just as we condemn intolerance and extremism abroad, so will we stay true to our traditions here at home as a diverse and tolerant nation. We champion the rights of every American, including the right to worship as one chooses -- as service members and civilians from many faiths do just steps from here, at the very spot where the terrorists struck this building.
Those who attacked us sought to demoralize us, divide us, to deprive us of the very unity, the very ideals, that make America America -- those qualities that have made us a beacon of freedom and hope to billions around the world. Today we declare once more we will never hand them that victory. As Americans, we will keep alive the virtues and values that make us who we are and who we must always be.
For our cause is just. Our spirit is strong. Our resolve is unwavering. Like generations before us, let us come together today and all days to affirm certain inalienable rights, to affirm life and liberty and the pursuit of happiness. On this day and the days to come, we choose to stay true to our best selves -- as one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
That's speech was so moving.. Besides, my heart leaps in greater joy as I know that in the National Remembrance Day this year Obama reads through Psalm 46:
No comments:
Post a Comment