 |
Living Among Patriots
(September 11, 2009) |
|
|
| SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. (9/11/2009) -- Every place I
live I try to make sure I have an American flag, with no rips or tears, properly
displayed in the front of my home. It's not because I'm overly patriotic, it's
because I'm so thankful that I live in the United States and that I have the
privilege of serving as an Air Force Airman.
The flag in front of my home will fly on Sept. 11, also known as Patriot Day. To
me, Patriot Day takes a special place in my life. Since the fateful day of Sept.
11, 2001, my life, like those of many Americans, took on a new meaning after
terrorists hijacked four civilian planes and attacked the World Trade Center in
New York City with two planes and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. with one. The
fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania.
I still remember being angered so by the devastation and wanted retaliation for
those responsible. What followed in the days afterward, however, was a spike in
patriotism across our nation that hadn't been seen in awhile. People were
holding the Stars and Stripes closer to their hearts. I was among those people,
living among patriots.
The Congressional bill to make Sept. 11th a holiday was introduced in the U.S.
House of Representatives on Oct. 25, 2001, with 22 co-sponsors. Among them, 11
were Democrats and 11 were Republicans. It passed the House by a vote of 407-0
and passed the Senate unanimously on Nov. 30, 2001. It was signed into law by
President George W. Bush on Dec. 18, 2001, creating Patriot Day.
So why should this be important to all of us? Well for me it's not just about
just the military veterans who have died protecting our freedoms since that day
and before, it's about all Americans. Each American, I believe deep down, loves
this country to his or her core. I believe each American is a patriot.
I see patriotism wherever I go in the military both at home station and abroad.
For example, on my last two deployments -- one to Southwest Asia and the other
to Uzbekistan, I recall aircrews taking American flags with them on combat
missions to include air refueling and airdrop missions. It's a practice that
continues today.
When these service members bring those flags home after deployment, they give
them to the special "patriots" in their lives. I had flags I purchased and sent
on such missions, and I gave them to my parents, my children's schools and most
importantly to my wife. Why? Because I know it's not just me, it's also all the
people in my life who work to protect our freedoms. It's the whole patriotic
team.
I see the patriotism away from the military to. I see it when I visit my
hometown, especially during Independence Day activities every July 4. Leading
every parade is a color guard, which I've even marched in myself, that carries
the Stars and Stripes front and center.
And even when it's not Independence Day, I see the patriotism in towns across
the land with flags flying high in front of schools, businesses, government
buildings, and of course many homes. It's a real inspiration every time I see a
flag in the front of someone's home. It tells me immediately they are patriots.
I also see strong patriotism in my own family. My children and grandchildren
inspire me every day with their beautiful support and belief in what the United
States stands for. My parents, who raised me to believe that what we have in
America is something special, as well as my brothers, sister, in-laws and more
are also all tried and true patriots.
Most importantly for me, one of the biggest patriots I know is my wife. For the
nearly 18 years that I've known her, I've never met anyone who can provide the
support, love and care of someone like me, a military member, more. She is the
one patriot I'm most proud to be associated with for the rest of my life.
My list of fellow patriots goes on and on. The big thing I would like you to
remember is that we all have patriots around us and this Sept. 11, remember that
you are a patriot too. | |
By USAF TSgt. Scott T. Sturkol
Air Mobility Command Public Affairs
Copyright 2009
Reprinted from
Air Force News Service
Comment on this article |
|
