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I hurt. Whether I was burned by flaming jet fuel, whether I jumped from a 62nd story window to escape the flames, whether I was crushed by falling bricks, whether I was in an airliner commandeered to become a deadly missile, whether I lost loved ones, or whether I saw it on television, I hurt. I feel my pain, I feel your pain. America hurts. The world hurts. What was done on September 11th transcends national borders, transcends cultural differences, transcends religious differences. What was done on September 11th strikes a blow at the very core of human decency.
But my enemy has not crushed me. My enemy has not defeated me. My enemy has not humiliated me. I have been but wounded. My enemy has but roused the sleeping giant within. I am vengeful. I will find the perpetrator of this crime. I will extract from him a terrible penance such that he will rue that he ever thought of such a heinous crime. I will crush him, I will eliminate him from ever being a threat to humanity again. But in finding and crushing my enemy, I will not be guilty of bigotry. I will not pre-judge my brother because he is of the same creed or color or nationality as my enemy. I will not be guilty of bigotry, because to do so would be to be guilty of a vice of my enemy. |
I will recover from my pain. Time will heal my wounds. But the scars will remain, will always remain. Because of this experience I will hold human life dearer, I will be more tolerant, more patient, more generous, more open, more touching, more loving. And because I realize even more that human life is precious and fragile, I will show and give my love, and I will accept your care and love. My adversity is the temper of my soul, and I am better and stronger for what I have been through.
I will be more American. The Stars and Stripes will be more beautiful and more dear to me. The sacrifices and ultimate prices paid by so many to give to me and to preserve our country will dwell deeper in my heart. I will observe our national holidays for what they were intended to remember. I will fly the flag more often. I will pledge allegiance with more fervor and pride. I will trust more in God. I will better know that America is peace and justice and freedom and opportunity. I am . . . America. (John A. Triplett) |