Kirkepiscatoid

This morning, I am realizing how events get lives of their own. When the year is not a multiple of 5 or 10 of the anniversary of a devastating event, how do we proceed? This year is the "7 year itch" year of 9/11/2001. I am trying to think in my mind how to move past all that while at the same time not ignoring respect for those who lost their lives.

I noticed on my Facebook page today a lot of my Facebook friends are displaying patriotic messages, urging people to wear red/white/blue, etc. That ain't me. I'm as much a patriot as anyone but I'm not a flag-waver. Waving the flag too much tends to cause one to wave it annoyingly in someone's face. I love this country, but like the Bible, I don't think it's infallible. I have all the respect in the world for my cousin JB who spent a tour in Iraq. I prayed for his safety every day he was there at the same time I honored his sacrifice. But I didn't make a big show of it.

I don't like the notion that 9/11 become a day to run around and "hoo-ah" about how great being American is. Not at all. If anything, we need to become more humble on 9/11. We need to remember that disasters--whether natural or perpetrated by humans--happen at a moment's notice and all our pride and swaggering won't stop them. We need to remember that blustering and swaggering only engenders more trouble than it prevents. I am uncomfortable with our role as "the world's pit bull." I don't think that is a cause for celebration.

On the other hand, I have nothing but respect for all those people who put themselves in harm's way for us. I love my cousin who served in the Army, and am incredibly grateful for his service, but I don't think we should glorify soldiers over police officers, firefighters, or even the folks who climb the utility poles in rotten weather. I can think of even more roles that are equally protective--chaplains who put themselves in "the front", relatives who stand between abusing relatives and abused children, wow...the list is endless. I don't think the soldier deserves a higher spot on the food chain. There is a balance we need to respect in what the "helping professions" do for us and no one deserves a place of honor over the other.

I plan to just sit with this a little today. I think for me, sitting still and reflecting sounds better than wrapping myself in red, white, and blue hoo-ah, and I think it honors the fallen just as well on this day.