Patriot Day



I've spent some time this week thinking about those indelible images from September 11, 2001. Remember how we watched our televisions in horror as hijacked jets struck the iconic Twin Towers and the Pentagon? Then we heard the incredible account of Todd Beamer and his fellow passengers on Flight 93 as they stormed the jet cockpit and crashed before the hijackers could hit the intended target—our nation’s capital. Beamer’s final words, “Let’s roll” became our inspiring call to action. 

Patriot Day honors those who lost their lives that day—just a regular day in a lifetime that they thought would have many tomorrows. I’ve had almost 7000 days to live since then. I’ve finished raising my family and saw the birth of my two grandkids. I even reached retirement age. 




But not those September 11 Patriots. They left their hopes, dreams, and legacies behind.  I wonder what they’d think of our America 2020. It’s not like their America was perfect—it never has been. But how am I doing in my role as an American citizen? Am I a taker or a giver?


Those September 11, 2001 Patriots never had social media infiltrating their thoughts. Maybe they had fewer distractions. Maybe they gave more attention to the people right in front of them, rather than those online. Our rapid-fire technology weaponizes words. How many have I wounded on social media? 




September 11, 2001 reminds us that there are things desperately out of our control. Yet, the heroic actions we saw that day and in the tragic aftermath revealed more about who Americans are. So, how am I doing on this Patriot Day 2020? Have I taken advantage of America’s freedom, prosperity, and its opportunities— to do more for me without doing much to improve our nation for all? 


Real patriotism inspires me to give back to this amazing homeland so future generations can live better, kinder, and more loving. Sometimes it's not about doing more; it's about doing better at what I'm already doing. Todd Beamer's final call to action inspires me once again as we honor these Patriots today.  “Let’s roll.”


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