9/11 – Two Decades Later

On this day, twenty years later, I have little to say.

I have written much on my thoughts and experiences in Afghanistan – enough to warrant this being the 31st entry in its own category: Afghanistan. Though there will undoubtedly be much more to expand and pontificate upon later, today will have to be uncharacteristically terse.

However, I do have something for you to ponder, dear reader…

Before thanking folks for their service, do you wonder if you have behaved in a manner worth others’ service?

Have we… have you learned anything since that day in 2001? What will you do with that knowledge?

Our nation survived an attack unparalleled in our history, and we woke up on 12Sep2001 much different – and for a while, better – people; unified and in full understanding of the depths of hatred which can target us. Since then… well, that will be the focal point for discussion and/or judgment for later generations. However, have you become a better person because of those lessons?

It’s not enough to survive. One must be worthy of survival.

William Adama – Resurrection Ship, Part 2 [2.12]

iTunes has no longer been an accurate reflection of the number of plays certain pieces or songs have had over the years. Suffice to say, however, that this one piece remains one of my favorites from the series: a sad – yet hopeful – introduction, building into complex but driving resolve, and climaxing in intense and almost frantic purpose – all with the same sweet and repetitious melody.

Viciously optimistic, one might speculate.