What September 11, 2001 Has Meant To Me :: September 11 Terrorism Essays

On September 11, 2001 our Nation sat and watched in fear and horror as unknown assailants attacked the American people on our own soil, a feat that has not been seen since World War II. The atrocities of this day have evoked an abundance of overwhelming emotions that have spread throughout the world like wild fire. The diversity of my emotions is still pulling me in several different directions, making it difficult for me to place a meaning to September 11, 2001. I like the rest of America watch as countries throughout the world lend support and aid to our country. I watch these events unfold with great pride and relief as foreign nations bond together and aid us in order to fight a common foe. If nothing else good comes out of this atrocity at least we have proved that the majority of this world can come together and work as one. My pride at watching this world come together is not totally felt as I observe our home front. I have spent my entire life traveling this world and for the past ten years have continued that travel as a member of the U.S. Navy. My one regret is the fact that at times I am embarrassed to call myself an American, for in no other country does it take over four thousand deaths and mass destruction for a people to find pride in their Nation. I am disgusted with our Nations sudden patriotic values and ashamed. What have we been teaching our children for the past twenty years? As with so many others my strongest emotion is fear. Fear for what we are getting into and fear that our â€Å"newly found Americans† will prove history right. This is a war to the likes that no one has ever seen and I don’t think Americans, to no fault of their own, realize the true extent of what we are dealing with. I have learned and experienced so many things as a member of the Armed forces. It is this knowledge that every sailor and soldier alike has that allows me to see just how horrific this war could be.