Free Essays on Terrorism: Independence Day Has New Meaning :: September 11 Terrorism Essays

Independence Day Has New Meaning    This week we will celebrate the Independence of our great nation, gained through the blood and sacrifice of our ancestors. This is the day we were meant to honor our way of life and the freedoms we enjoy. Disregarding the true meaning of the holiday, I am afraid that many of us, myself included, had forgotten the sacrifice our independence demanded. July 4th became little more than a day off work, punctuated by an excuse for family and friends to gather with the added attraction of fireworks. As in years past, there will be picnics and barbecues and fireworks. Some things will not change.       This year, for me, the significance will be different. We are not free in the same way as we were last year on this day. The events of September 11, changed that. It forced us to come face to face with what our way of life represents. Those tragic events woke this nation from centuries of complacence and reminded us what our freedom is worth. The veiled promises of terrorist acts to come may change the way we celebrate this year, but we will celebrate with rekindled determination.       This year our celebration of freedom has a restored sense of reality. I hope that each of us will see in our minds, the faces that flashed across our television screens of those who will be with us in spirit only this year. Those whose lives were stolen away in a foolish terrorist attempt to weaken our nation. Forever imprinted in our memories, are the gruesome images before, during and after the dreadful events of 9/11. Behind the surface gaiety, there are now absolute memories of lives sacrificed for our people and their freedom. I take solace in the knowledge that the intent of terrorists to weaken this nation and its people has had the opposite effect.