A Stark Reminder that it’s far From Over

A few weeks ago those who have charge of protecting us showed once again how they earn their paycheck.

On August 10th a significant terrorist attack on no less than 10 airliners coming from points in Europe to the U.S. were targeted for bombings reportedly while in flight over the Atlantic. All of the flights according to sources broadcast and print, say 24 people have been arrested and will be charged with plotting to blow up ten airliners using liquid explosives and electronic devices concealed as everyday carry on items. Flights from Britain to our soil were put on ‘red alert’ and all carry on items were inspected with any substance resembling liquids or gels being taken by security officials at check in. Here we are, just marking the five year anniversary of 9/11 and another stark reminder that those who plot our demise haven’t and apparently won’t let up. There will be more attempts and hopefully all will meet with the same result. The bad guys have been foiled again.

The good part of this fight against terrorism today is we are far from alone. Since 9/11 our government has made a unified network on the fight against terrorism that includes our friends in Great Britain. With their help we were collectively able to dismantle this attack which reportedly could have made 9/11 look like a picnic by comparison. Here’s another chance for us to count our blessings that we live in a country filled with great people all dedicated to our good health and preservation of life quality.

So what now? What more can we do? Lots more. After 9/11 we rallied as a nation, in every community, in every neighborhood and even on every street. Our flag, yellow ribbons, good will gestures were abound of time, talent and treasure for our service men and women and those in uniform closer to home. After a few months and years we all slipped back into our usual level of malaise. Flags one by one came down and we day by day went about the business of ‘cocooning’ back into our own little world. Besides the attacks gone awry attempts recently that serve as a reminder to 9/11 there’s been the subway bombings in London just over a year ago and several more attempts, many dismantled, that have kept us and our world allies safe.

Use this anniversary of 9/11 to thank those that protect us, get active in your community if you aren’t already. Find a way to ‘pay forward’ what you’ve been given. Did I ever think I’d see the day when we’d have to live in a world, or our community, under a threat of terrorism and annihilation? Hardly, but such are the times in which we live. To quote Morgan Freeman in ‘The Shawshank Redemption’, we can either ‘Get on living or get on dying’. I prefer the former as I am sure many of you do also. Living outside of fear and into proactive behavior means we all have to work on doing some benevolent work.

Look around where you live, check in on seniors, help a single parent, join a civic group and design a network in your neighborhood where you keep a watchful eye on your community. If the bad guys are clever enough to disguise explosives that can blow up an airliner into something as small and non assuming as a tube of toothpaste or hair gel, anything is possible. Quakertown, Upper Bucks County and the surrounding areas are no less a threat then our country’s biggest cities.

In many ways we have it great. A beautiful region in which to live. A great quality of life, access to good schools and the choice to worship in whatever form we find appropriate. These things aren’t free. They are provided to us at no charge to us, but they cost. Start picking up your side of the tab. If you, me and others start giving back our communities will benefit in many ways. Besides feeling more secure, we’ll feel better that we are the spark of the positive growth called involvement. We’ll also be setting a great model for our young people all the while keeping our communities and neighborhoods as safe as possible. You really want to thank a police officer, emergency technician or person in uniform, then pick up your small part of the world and help out. I’ll remember to take my own advice, advice given to me by my parents and scores of others in my 40 years of life so far here on planet earth.

It’s not over folks, hardly. How much fight do we have in us? That’s a question that resides in each person. Remember, we are nation of firm resolve and we know doing the right thing isn’t always doing the easy thing. We have choices. We’re asked to make the best ones. Figure out how you can lend a hand in your town and thanks in advance for your service. Those that want us done in have no idea what their in for. Their messing with the wrong dogs.

Let’s bring back the passion of 9/11’s aftermath. Fly your flags, display ribbons and once again rally around each other. Think of those who suffered the ultimate loss for our way of life and remember all the blessings you and I have to count.

See ‘ya around town.