Previously published, September 11, 2007
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So my wife had to work an evening shift the other day and, as always when that happens, I found myself enjoying father/son night with my ten-year-old. Now, since I’m about the proudest daddy you’ll ever find this is in no way a burden. On this particular evening we were scanning some videos online and one that we came across was Daryl Worley’s “Have You Forgotten.” We watched twice all the way through. When it was over my son and I had a conversation about certain parts of it and I was silently thankful for artists like Daryl Worley who DON’T let us forget. After my son and I had talked I felt compelled to sit down and get some of my thoughts typed out.
I hear people saying we don’t need this war
I say there’s some things worth fighting for
The song opens with those two lines. While I can understand the outlook of those who feel we don’t need to be at war anywhere, I don’t agree with them. My even larger disagreement comes with those who say there is NOTHING worth fighting for. I think Daryl Worley anticipated that with his next few lines:
What about our freedom and this piece of ground?
We didn’t get to keep ’em by backing down
If NOTHING was worth fighting for we’d still be a colony of England. Freedom, liberty, and individual sovereignty are invaluable. They are COMPLETELY worth fighting for. It is a sad state of affairs in the United States today that there are parents, teachers, counselors, coaches and mentors teaching children that they should never fight no matter what. I certainly don’t teach my children to fight at the drop of a hat but they’ve always been taught that there ARE some things worth fighting for. It’s not their first choice – but when no other choice remains they won’t back away from it. I’m sure they’ll be just as scared as I’ve been in every fight I’ve ever experienced. I’m also just as sure (or at least very hopeful) that they’ll set that fear aside and do whatever they need to do to not only survive but to win. It’s an attitude our entire country needs to embrace. We won’t look for the fight, but when it comes to us we will demolish the idiot who brought it.
They say we don’t realize the mess we’re getting in
Before you start preaching
Let me ask you this my friend
And the sad part is that there are people out there preaching loud and proud that we shouldn’t be fighting to defend our country. For those who say, “But we’re not in Iraq protecting the United States. They never attacked us,” let me say – I think you’re right from that very narrow point of view. But what if our forefathers had never wanted to establish, maintain or spread democracy? Shouldn’t every human being in the world enjoy the same freedom, liberty and sense of self that we take for granted every day? If we have the ability to help accomplish that then don’t we have the responsibility to?
Have you forgotten how it felt that day
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away?
Think about how literal that statement is: “her people blown away.” When those planes crashed into the World Trade Center towers and into the Pentagon… and the one crashed into that field in Pennsylvania… our citizens were BLOWN AWAY. Have we grown so soft and insensitive to the loss of those families who lost loved ones that we simply would rather not fight than to avenge their deaths or prevent others from dying by taking out the bad guys? Has someone deluded themselves into thinking that fanatical terrorists aren’t wrong for wanting to kill us?
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside
Going through a living hell
And in some cases, as was all too well documented on live television, jumping out of windows to escape that hell. My mother-in-law asked the question: “How could someone jump to their death?” Well, the answer isn’t pretty. When it’s so hot INSIDE that you are SURE you’re going to die and all you can think of is escaping that searing heat and outside that window is your only place to go, then you go where you MIGHT have some small chance of surviving – just to escape that overwhelming pain. It’s not a conscious thought or choice. It was simply their only option to escape hell.
And you say we shouldn’t worry ’bout Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
They took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it’s too disturbing for you and me
It’ll just breed anger that’s what the experts say
If it was up to me I’d show it every day
First off, I’m pretty upset that someone thinks they have the right to decide what is or isn’t “too disturbing” for me to watch. Second, if it breeds anger then I have to say that the anger is justified. We were attacked without warning, not by a nation’s military but by a group of people who disagree with our way of life and hate us for having the audacity to not be as they are. We refuse to accept what they say and/or preach so they will kill all of us that they can. Um, yeah – I think I’m pretty justified in being angry about that. And yes, I think Daryl Worley is right: as far as I’m concerned the footage of those planes hitting the towers… crashing into the Pentagon… should be shown EVERY weekday morning at 0700. It should be available for every citizen to see so that we can remember quite clearly that some people in this world want to kill us and we often have no choice, if we’re to survive, but to fight back and win! While we’re at it, we should be properly memorializing the heroes on Flight 93 who fought back; who refused to be willing victims; who refused to be sheep; who saved an unknown number of lives because they refused to sit quietly and obediently and allow that plane to be used as a guided missile. There are people walking around today who owe those Flight 93 passengers a huge debt of gratitude… and they don’t even know who they are.
Some say this country’s just out looking for a fight
After 9/11 man I’d have to say that’s right
And the problem is? On 9/11 that fight was brought to us. Every single person involved in planning it, supporting it or executing it should be hunted down and taught a lesson about pissing off the United States. We are NOT a bunch of sheep who just take abuse and keep on baaing. Screw that. We tend to fight back – in a big way. They should think about that before pissing us off. Every potential enemy we have in the world should think about that before pissing us off. Unfortunately, the voices of those who are willing to fight; who believe that it is justified and morally mandatory at times are the quieter voices. The peaceniks who believe that there is never a reason to fight seem to get more camera time and holler with the louder voice. It’s time for that to change. We need to speak out.
Have you forgotten how it felt that day
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away?
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside
Going through a living hell
And you say we shouldn’t worry ’bout Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
You need to stop and think about that for a second. Is there an American Flag hanging outside your house? Have you done anything to support our soldiers? Have you done anything to support those who wear uniforms here at home? Remember this very carefully: as much as those soldiers are sacrificing to be overseas fighting the war, you have policeman, fireman and other public safety personnel who go to work everyday and protect our way of life here at home. 2001 was the single deadliest year for public safety we’ve experienced. Why? Because of the number of them who died trying to save civilians before the towers fell. They are our front line at home. Have you forgotten?
I’ve been there with the soldiers
Who’ve gone away to war
And you can bet they remember
Just what they’re fighting for
Why aren’t the loud and proud ones on television and in the news? How come the media services seem to only write articles or broadcast stories about the soldiers who disagree with the war? How come they (the media) seem to glorify those who “have the courage to speak out against the war”? Why aren’t they praising the meritorious service of those who fight every day; do so without complaint; and are proud to be where they are? Have you looked at a patriot-themed music video lately? Take a look at “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” by Toby Keith. Watch the crowd, filled exclusively with soldiers… cheer, jump up and down and scream happily as Toby says, “We’ll put a boot in your ass; It’s the American way!” I don’t think those soldiers are speaking out against the war.
Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost
And those left to carry on
Don’t you tell me not to worry about Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?
Well? Have you?