Serving on 'sacred ground'

National Guard, Dec 2001 by Lounsbury, Guy

We all tried to say the right thing, listen with the sympathetic ear and provide what comfort we could by our presence. It seemed so little to give to those that have suffered so much. I wish I could have done more.

People say that you can't can come here and leave unchanged. I agree. It wasn't so much seeing for myself the magnitude of the devastation. I wouldn't give the cowards that did this that satisfaction. Rather, it was working closely with the nation's true heroes and witnessing the rebirth of the American spirit.

I think that we sometimes forget our identity as Americans. Of course we all know who we are, but our emphasis on individuality tends to overshadow our unity. But that feeling of unity is back, and it is strong.

I saw it at Ground Zero, and I continue to feel it. Our enemies are just starting to realize the mistake they have made in their judgment of us. E Pluribus Unum, "One from many." These are more than just words, they are our national conscience.