A Day to Mourn, But Also a Day to Rejoice

[hyphenate]

We all know of the tragedy of the date, September 11, 2001. We all know the horrors of that day. There is no doubt about those things, but there is something else--something worth rejoicing: it was a day when the majority of the people in this world helped us grieve, when they showed their concern and their love for all Americans.

To the north, the great country of Canada stood out. When international flights were grounded in their approach to US airports, a lot of people were stranded in airports in Canada. And for long periods of time, Canadians brought those passengers into their homes, and made them feel welcome.

In Europe, "Yanks" were seeing the same thing. People in European countries made Americans feel welcome, and were there to comfort them when it looked very dark indeed.


All around the world, leaders of most nations were sending their deepest condolences to those who were killed, and for the attacks themselves. http://www.september11news.com/InternationalReaction.htm

But while diplomats were making their own comments, it was the pouring out of emotion from the people of other nations that really hit home, and helped heal in some ways the grief that consumed the country.

But while we have often helped out other nations when tragedy has struck, it was a turning point that we found ourselves in the opposite position, and it was needed: Americans finally realized that no matter where people are raised, what language they speak, what god they believe in, or the color of their skin, we're all still human beings underneath it all.

So, here is a toast to the countries and the people there for helping out Americans on 9/11/01, and continuing to help after that day of tragedy. One thing which we should have learned that day was we shouldn't be continuing to just mourn the deaths of Americans on that day, but find comfort and brotherhood with people the world over, and thank them for being there when we needed them the most.

I raise my glass to all of you.

[LARED]

1. That's a pretty dim view of Americans pre 9/11

Americans finally realized that no matter where people are raised, what language they speak, what god they believe in, or the color of their skin, we're all still human beings underneath it all.


A view I don't buy for a second.