News

Remembering 9/11 - A Fearless Nation

  • Published
  • By Chaplain (Maj.) Rolf Holmquist
  • 78th Air Base Wing Chapel

Most of us can recall where we were on September 11, 2001. I was a brand new chaplain in the Air Force at Scott Air Force Base. 

When the news came of the New York City Twin Towers being attacked, I sat glued to the television and a terrible gut wrenching feeling came over me as if the end of the world had come.

This catastrophe created anxiety in many people and stressed our Nation to fatigue.

Who doesn't get anxious? It's so easy to get nervous or worried.

“What would happen next?” folks asked, and it's times such as this that we need our spiritual resources to calm us in the storms of life. For those storms will come.    Then something spectacular happened after those moments of terror – fearlessness.  The exact opposite of what some of us were feeling.

The people of America would not just give up when we were sucker punched by a few people who meant us harm. 

No, on Sept 11th as Rev Cornel Barnett from Redwoods Presbyterian Church said, “We remember the office workers who worked together so valiantly to help each other in the twin towers.  We remember the firefighters who rushed upstairs, as most everyone else was racing out of the buildings. We remember the police officers who stood to protect and defend the people and performed their duties even as the towers fell. We remember, those citizens who rushed to help, did all they could to help. We remember the millions of Americans who gave so generously of their life and labor to endow funds, to help the survivors and their families recover from their losses.”  

Fearlessness comes during tragedies when our lives are centered in something that gives us value, meaning and purpose. Faith in God is what helps me so I can help others.     

This year, may we continue to pray for and remember those families who have lost a loved one. Those in the military who work, watch and wait as centurions on guard for the sake of peace and freedom.  Because as Toby Keith sang about America in his song, "Courtesy of the Red White and Blue", “This big dog will fight when you rattle his cage.”  May we continue to perform our mission well -- for those who have died for our nation, for those who live today, for future generations. 

So sleep well America for we are a fearless Nation.