Viewing 9/11 From Abroad: A Personal Perspective - Page 3

Let me hasten to add, however, that on our flight from Istanbul to New York were three G.I.s returning from repeat tours of duty in Iraq. One was going home to a newborn son he had never seen. That word was greeted with applause, cheers and congratulations by those of us standing with him in the security screening line at the Istanbul airport. Regardless of anyone's views on the wisdom of the Iraq war, there was nothing but heartfelt support and empathy for these men.

Just as I acknowledge the personal sacrifices these men made and over which they had no control, I feel anguish for the lives lost in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania five years ago. If anything, that anguish is deeper today given where we have been led. But proper commemoration does not consist of wrapping ourselves in a flag of self-pity while invoking the memories of those individuals to justify actions and policies that not only diminish their loss but increase the chance it will happen again. Perhaps I am wrong about the how self-indulgent my country was in connection with September 11. I doubt it, though. To have avoided a media onslaught that likely focused far more on patriotic platitudes than the lives lost, let alone little if any analysis and evaluation, is invaluable. Yet even more so was the opportunity to experience this period from abroad.

Article Author: Tim Gebhart

Tim Gebhart lives in Sioux Falls, SD, where he practices law in order to provide shelter for his family, his dogs, and his books. He is a member of the National Book Critics Circle and his blog de guerre is A Progressive on the Prairie.

Visit Tim Gebhart's author page — Tim Gebhart's Blog