As I wrote my tribute for Lt. John A. Crisci, he came to life for me, in spite of the fact that he was ripped from life 5 years ago. As I read the tributes of others in the 2,996 blogger event, I learn about the people who were sacrificed on the altar of terrorism and I know that as long as we remember them, they live on. 

Some may say that we are reopening our wounds by doing this...why do we want to keep focusing on a tragedy that happened five years ago...why are we dragging this dead cat out to look at it again as my mother-in-law would say.

Well, the answer is simple...as long as we remember, then the terrorists have failed. As long as we remember, these people live on. As long as we remember, then we will have the resolve to be vigilent and keep our country safe.  War is not pretty. We didn't ask for this war and no one in their right mind is happy that we are in it. I get so sick and tired of hearing from those who say the war is about oil or about our dislike of people who are Islamic. We are a nation founded on the principle that all are welcome here. We based out country on the principle of religious freedom. But religious freedom is not granted to those who wish to kill others (no matter what their religion...Christianity, Jewish, Islamic, etc). 

Terrorists brought this war to us very vividly one bright September morning and in order to remain a free nation we must respond. We must chase them to every corner of the earth, to every cave they hide in, to every innocent they hide behind. Will we ever get rid of all the terrorists, truthfully we have to acknowledge that there will always be people who want to kill others. But can we make life a living hell for them? Can we harry them so that they have no rest, not time to plan, no safe haven? Yes, we can! And by keeping them on the move and infiltrating their previously dark hide outs, we can keep down the damage they are able to do.

So, go ahead, think about what happened on September 11, 2001. Read the tributes. Cry. Remember. And grow stronger in your resolve to support our government so they can do everything in their power to make sure this travesty doesn't happen again.  The 2,996 project is a great place to start...remember the voices we no longer hear and celebrate their lives. Also, check out the website Oh How Soon We Forget for moving tributes and information.

And remember, there are many ways to fight the war on terrorism. Be vigilant. Be happy. Be grateful to live in a free country. Support our military. Support countries that stand by our side in this fight. Live every day to its fullest, but not in fear, in joy.

May God bless you. May God bless and keep those families who lost loved ones on September 11th. May God bless our military and their families. May God bless the people and countries around the world that stand beside us in this fight. And may God remember those who ran away.