Remembering 9/11

I don't know how many of you lived in Monroe 10 years ago, but I've lived here for 38 years. On that horrible day, September 11, 2001, I can remember how almost everybody in town came together as one.

We gathered at Fireman's Field.  All of us held candles. We lit each other's candle, held hands and then sang and prayed together. We were scared. We did this for three straight nights. Doing that made me feel good about living in a small town like Monroe.

I don't know what your plans are for September 11th, but I hope to be sitting in Fireman's Field, with a candle, saying some prayers and maybe singing a few songs that evening. Everyone is welcome to join me. Just bring a candle. I'll give you a light.  I don't care if you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or don't practice any religion. All I'm asking is that you show that you care about your town, your state and your country.

We may be asked to leave Fireman's Field. If that is the case, then we'll figure somewhere else to go, like the town green.

Here is a bit of news I learned just a few nights ago. Apparently, our section of the country is not safe. We are under a terrorist threat. Three terrorists have come to the United States and evaded airport security (who couldn't?). No one knows where they are, but we do know that they are from Dubai and that they were supposedly trained by Osama bin Laden. Maybe New York City will get hit again, maybe it will be Washington D.C., or possibly Sikorsky Aircraft. I don't know.

What I do know is that now is NOT the time for petty fights. Now is the time for unity — in our towns, our states and in our country. If you want to remember 9/11 with one another, then show up at Fireman's Field Sunday evening, just around 7 pm. If you want unity with our town, our state and our country, then show up. If not, then stay home.