United We Stand

    It doesn't seem like 9-11 was nine years ago.  I remember every minute off the that day from the moment all radio stations went live,  to one plane hitting a tower, then another, to the towers crumbling.  At One-Thirty in the afternoon I found myself driving from West Bend to Menomonee Falls for my job. My faithful Mustang was the only car on the road.  It was a sunny day, an awesome day and nobody was on the road . There were no planes in the air.    Just me and the sound of my engine droning along in fifth gear.  It reminded my of the movie "The Day After"  minus the mushroom cloud.  I got to the end of the Main Street off ramp and stopped to check traffic ( there was none) .  It was at that very surreal moment , I realised my world, my country, had changed.
     For a few months after that day, we were united as a country. The most popular bumper sticker, "United We Stand."  Then suddenly or so it seemed,we kicked into party mode.  People started buying.  The bigger the better, big SUVs, bigger houses, better computers, all on credit. Go big or go home. Politicians become more partisan  and defined and by the Internet and the Internet defined them.  We went in Afghanistan and then put  it on the the back burner.  We went into Iraq and now have drawn down, and again we are focused on Afghanistan.  Our Politicians are more partisan then ever before, and can't think past the next election.  The country is broke and more divided then ever.  It's know wonder I liked the 20th Century better.
    There were aspects of my childhood that made no sense.  In short, my parents, home life and the neighborhood were I grew up was heaven.  The pretentious parochial grade school I went to from First
to Eighth grade was  hell and the place that made no sense. I left there with three things.  First, a resistance to authority.  Second a desperate need to find the truth . and third a major aversion to large organizations.  I've never voted  a straight ticket but instead voted for the politician most likely to do the right and logical thing.  Of  course I've been disappointed  a lot, especially in the last decade..  I'm not a follower and actually have a low tolerance for any devout conservative or devout liberal.  I don't call myself an Independent, and as far as the Tea Party is concerned I prefer to get jacked up on coffee.
    I am writing this  for three reasons.  First, today  is 9-11 and for the first few years it was called Remembrance Day.  (It's now called Patriot Day). and it is a day I can't forget.  Second, I was talking to a 30 something acquaintance with whom 9-11 held now real significance,  and didn't know the difference between Afghanistan and Iraq.  Sadly, complacency. selfishness , and personal agendas are in style in the new century, along with an ability to tune the bad stuff out.  My third reason is because of PFC Chad Coleman.
     Chad was my wife's Godfather's Grandson, and was killed in Afghanistan.  Chad was a highly decorated 20-year-old, (US Army 101st Airborne) and his parents only child.  After going to the funeral, and hearing his story of determination and bravery I will never forget him. All veterans should be remembered. and taken care of, I might add,  when they get home. I've never thought war was a good thing, but the men and women that have fought them deserve our deepest respect.
      I'm an American, not a Republican or a Democrat.  I loath labels and refuse to be a member of either club.  As an American, I'm highly concerned about our differences.  On this day and every day people need to remember; the other half of  " United We Stand" is  "Divided we Fall."

                                                                                                TMK

     Specialist Chad Derek Coleman

     101st Airborne-Screaming Eagles

      1990 - 2010