House of Representatives Weekly Report – September 11, 2013

BY STATE REPRESENTATIVE NATE BELL –

This week’s column is a slightly updated version of one I wrote in 2011 but its message is important today.

I’ll never forget the wailing as hundreds of activated PASS devices emitted their loud squeals.  Everyone who has worn turnout gear and an SCBA knows that sound. It indicates that a downed firefighter is in urgent need of help. The first responders who wore those PASS devices into the twin towers of the World Trade Centers on September 11, 2001 sought to save the lives of others but instead gave up their own lives.  John 15:13 comes to mind when I think of those brave men and women.  “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

12 years ago, the President said “Our enemies have made the mistake that America’s enemies always make. They saw liberty and thought they saw weakness.”

September of 2001 was just 11 months after President Bush emerged as the winner of one of the most contentious Presidential elections in modern history.  Our nation’s focus was on money, sports, entertainment and other amusements.  We were in many ways a selfish and divided nation.

There are moments in each of our lives where time seems to stand still.  Those moments become etched in our minds with high definition clarity.  I remember exactly where I was on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 as it became clear that our nation was under attack. I’m sure you do too.  As a child my Mom regularly reminded us that we should always seek to find something good in every circumstance and in every person we encounter no matter how vile they seem at first glance.

We all know how the events of that day unfolded.  We became acquainted with terrorism in a frighteningly intimate way.  All of us recognize the evil and horrific nature of what took place on that September morning.  Our lives and our nation are forever changed because of what took place. We continue to experience its effects on our lives as domestic and international security measures increased.
The horrors we observed that fateful day are not the most important part of the story.  I ask you to focus with me on the story of 9/11 as I believe my Mom would have wanted us to see it.

We all remember exactly where we were on that beautiful and clear September morning.  The important lesson isn’t where we were or what we saw.  It’s in what we did.  When you realized that our nation was under attack what was the first thing you did?  I’m confident that you didn’t call your broker to put in a buy or sell order.  I’m pretty sure you didn’t check the status of that injured player on your favorite team.  You didn’t order something on e-bay.  You didn’t buy concert tickets. What was the first thing you did?  You see, the first thing most of us did when we realized our world was in crisis tells us a lot about ourselves.  Virtually all of us immediately called or went to those people who are most important to us.  We prayed together and we hugged each other. Those of us who served in emergency services mobilized at our duty stations in case the attacks reached our area. We all joined together with our communities and churches for prayer services.

Over the next few weeks, we worked side by side to raise money, give blood and provide supplies for the relief effort.  Church attendance increased exponentially all around the nation.  Politicians that normally fought each other bitterly, instead held joint press conferences and worked together to deliver essential services and ensure that additional attacks were repelled.  America came together!

Just 4 days after those horrific attacks, members of the US Congress stood on the Capitol steps to pray together.  Liberal Democrat Nancy Pelosi and conservative Republican Dick Armey held hands and sang God Bless America together.  You can see that moment at this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQTiuEhT3o4

Times of crisis reveal what is really important in our lives by stripping away the layers of lesser priorities.   Let’s get our priorities back in the order we had them during those fateful days.  Let’s put God, our families, our nation and our communities back at the top of our priority list.

“Are you guys ready?  Let’s roll!”

About Author

Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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