America's Worst Tragedy

In the days leading up to the 5th anniversary of September 11^th, 2001, I keep hearing that it was the date of America’s Worst Tragedy.  Approximately 3,000 people died.  A national landmark and symbol was destroyed.  A city was floored.  A nation was changed.  But was it the worst tragedy in American history?  I don’t think so.

Now, before you go off on me, I want to state for the record that I personally feel very strongly for the victims of the attack on the World Trade Center, as well as those victims in the Pentagon, the passengers on the airplanes, and the rescue workers who are still suffering grievous health problems as a result of their sifting through the rubble.  My heart goes out to those who have lost family members, friends, and colleagues.  I’ve watched documentaries of the morning of September 11^th.  And I watched the whole event, live, the morning it happened.  I was actually in the hospital, after having suffered a nasty concussion the Sunday before.  Despite feeling a bit foggy, I remember everything pretty clearly.  It’s not the type of thing you could forget under any circumstances.  I remember seeing the first smoking tower, before the second plane hit.  Everyone around me was confused, and even my mother was saying, “This is a tragic accident!  This has to be an accident.”  And I turned to her, feeling as certain as I’ve ever felt about anything in my life, and said, “No.  We’re under attack.  Watch the second tower.”  Barely a minute later, we saw the second plane collide.  In that moment, I knew we were going to war.  And if I didn’t have a headache before, I certainly had one then.   

Still, despite all of this, I don’t see September 11^th, 2001 as the date of America’s worst national tragedy.  I know just how deep the blow of September 11th struck our to nation, and I do not to belittle the losses of those who have suffered as a result of this crime against humanity.  But worse things have happened.  In fact, I find myself irritated that people still cling to September 11th like a mantra, harp on it like an excuse, and wave it like a banner for a damned rally cry.  Before you scream heresy, here’s why:

 

( Tragedies of our generation in America... )