The BLOG: Culture

Post September 11, Americans Have Gotten Far Too Soft

A few months ago, I spoke to a group of high school students about patriotism in America.

Just a few minutes into our chat – it hit me.

They have no memory of the 9/11 terror attacks.

I suppose in some ways it’s a good thing.  After all, so many of us will never forget the images on live television watching those planes crash into the towers.

But in other ways … it’s scary.  Scary that it seems that so many Americans who DID live through it have already forgotten it.

When those towers were hit, class wasn’t dismissed.  You know what happened?  We had difficult conversations in school.  We experienced history – as painful as it was.  That experience was a crucial part of our development as Americans.

Now?  We have a President elected by the AMERICAN PEOPLE and schools are dismissed and college classes cancelled so students can find a safe space.

The day after those terror attacks, American flags were waving everywhere.

Now?  People talk about the American flag as being a sign of oppression and take a knee as a sign of disrespect during the National Anthem.

In the weeks and months following those terror attacks, people thanked police officers for their service to the communities.

Now?  They are convicted in the court of public opinion of crimes that include just being a cop.

I’m blessed to have many friends who rushed off to serve our country.  Take, for example, my friend Carl Higbie.  Carl gave up a full ride to a prestigious university because he wanted to fight for his country.  His sense of patriotism drove him to be a NAVY SEAL.

Now?  Our veterans can’t even get basic health care because our elected politicians have their heads so far up their butts that they are frozen in their “resist” movement.

There’s a glimmer of hope.  We’ve seen The Silent Majority coming out of the woodwork.  Helping fellow Americans in the aftermath of these hurricanes – just like they always do.  Silently pushing forward.  Silently supporting.  Expressing their patriotism in the quietest and most humble of ways.

But while they fight for the America I know still exists … there are others who wish to see that very America destroyed.

We see ANTIFA and BLM rallies that are focused on destruction … and not on unity.  They wear their masks and bring violence to our streets.  The enemy isn’t just hijacking planes.  The enemy is also within.

The only question that remains … have we, as Americans, gotten too soft?

If we’re going to truly pay respect to the lives lost on September 11 … we need to first remember this –

United We Stand.  Divided We Fall.

God bless America.

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Kyle S. Reyes is co-host of The Whiskey Patriots and the Chief Executive Officer of The Silent Partner Marketing. Reyes is also an acclaimed keynote speaker on entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing and social media. You can follow him on Facebook.