September 11, 2001 was a day few people should be able to forget. Much like certain dates in the past, December 7, 1941 and November 22, 1963, it is a date that should be seared into our memories.
We on the West Coast woke up to the news those of you on the East Coast were already experiencing, the worst terrorist attack in the history of the world as a team of terrorists high jacked airliners and flew them into buildings occupied by people just arriving to begin an honest day’s work, murdering nearly 3,000 people, even exceeding the deaths we suffered on the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor that thrust the U.S. into World War Two.
By a unanimous vote, the House of Representatives passed Joint Resolution 71 and President Bush signed it into law Public Law 107-89, designating September 11 as Patriot Day.
It is a day intended for flags to be flown at half staff to honor all of those who lost their lives on the horrific day and a day the President has asked citizens to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of those who died.
While not an official holiday, it is a somber day that all too many seem to be forgetting, especially since Barack Obama came into office and decided to amend the resolution, designating it as more of a “National Day of Service.”
On such a somber day, many consider it in bad taste to schedule certain events not considered respectful to the memory of those who died.
Maybe chief among those inappropriate events would be a political rally to raise cash for a politician or candidate campaign.
Our elected officials are who we are supposed be able to trust to lead us in remembrances and paying homage on those few days. Even a candidate who has yet to hold office should be ‘leading by example’ and paying their respects to victims and the heroes who didn’t make it out of those buildings, not asking people to cough up and hand over upwards of $900 for the privilege of having them tickle your ears with campaign promises likely to be broken and smear their opponents.
Those who would schedule such an event on that somber day leave me believing they have forgotten what happened back on September 11, 2001 and the price thousands have paid since in going after terrorists and first responders who survived the buildings collapsing, only to suffer premature deaths from injuries and disease associated with the attacks.
Yes, Alishia Topper, a young lady with absolutely no experience in public service, but hoping to unseat Jeanne E. Stewart on the Vancouver City Council, the only Council member that has consistently stood up for the citizens of Vancouver.
What Ms. Topper does have is the strong backing of the downtown special interests invested heavily in resurrecting and burdening the citizens of Vancouver and Clark County with the costs of the Columbia River Crossing light rail project and denying them even a chance to vote on it.
Looking over her Campaign Kick-off announcement, it seems that she all bases covered for a politician, but not one mention of the somberness of the day or paying any respects to the victims.
What she does have scheduled is a Rock Band to appear that I am sure doesn’t come cheap.
Billing is a “party,” also mention is a marathon and some earlier service to SHARE where some may come to donate cans of food or small checks for a ‘free t-shirt.’
But again, what you don’t see is any mention of respecting or paying homage to those who fell victim the horrific events of that day.
I have attended events in the past that were scheduled in remembrance of the day and Jeanne E Stewart was attendance at the ones I attended. I can’t say Alishia Topper wasn’t because frankly, prior to her being called on by special interests to campaign to replace Jeanne E Stewart and supply the council with a guaranteed yes vote on anything CRC related, few people had ever heard of her.
10th Anniversary Sept. 11, 2001 Attacks
Fort Vancouver Artillery Barracks Ribbon Cutting
We don’t need elected officials who place their personal gain over commemorating a horrific event like the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks.
