Heroes, One and All

I didn't intend to watch it, it was actually quite by accident that I did. I was weary of a Hollywood-esque spin that may be infused into the story, luckily there wasn't. I'm glad I did watch though because if nothing else, watching this story reinforces my belief in good vs. evil, right vs. wrong, and the inherent good and valor in all people no matter their age, sex or station in life. The story of United Flight 93 explains in painful, tearful, and heartfelt detail the sacrifices of 40 incredibly brave Americans on that fateful day 4 years ago.

No one will ever forget where they were or what they were doing the day America was attacked by Al Qaeda terrorists; this story only serves to further remind us that there are those who would willingly give their lives in the pursuit of evil and terror. Luckily for all of us, there were also those who chose to stand up to evil and fight, these men and women were equally up to the challenge of sacrificing their lives, only their efforts were for the good of others. In case anyone has forgotten, this is the real reason for starting "our war on terror". The United States acted swiftly and justly in removing the Taliban and hunting down those responsible for the cowardly and brutal attacks on New York and Washington, indeed all of America. What struck me more than the devestation of the lives lost were the the suffering of lives left behind by fathers, mothers, husband and wives, daughters and sons. The movie is interspersed with real interviews of the families who survived these heroes and their recollections of the final conversations many of them had during flight 93 final moments. The power of these testimonies harkens back to what I said after the bombings in London, and that is to tell those you love that you do; and live today as if you may not have tomorrow.

The selfless act of these 40 Americans is generally accepted as an act of courageous sacrifice that in all likelyhood spared many more innocent lives of people in Washington DC, not to mention our Capitol building. I cannot even begin to imagine a casual flight that by some horrible twist of fate becomes the defining and final moment in my life, never getting to see my family or daughter again. Yet this is what these people faced, as they slowly became aware of the havoc being wrought throughout our country on this fateful day through their phone converstaions with loved ones. These men and women knew they would have to die; they said their good-byes and then got on with the business of standing up to the face of pure evil. I'm sure this moving and powerful show will be re-run and I urge you all to watch, no matter how painful and difficult it may be. The fact that they did indeed die is painfully over shadowed by the testimonies of the family members as they recall both through memory and actual recordings their final conversations with loved ones.

What would you say if you knew that such a conversation would be your last? Father's and mother's giving a lifetime of instructions and gratitude to their partners in a few moments time, sons and daughters thanking their parents for all they had been given. This serves as a powerful statement to the fragileness and value of all that we hold dear. We now live in much more uncertain and dangerous times than four years ago, still the underlying theme of this real life docudrama is one of hope, sacrifice, and courage, something we all can use more of. I'll never forget that day, if nothing else it makes me look at how lucky and blessed I am to have what I have and live where I live.