I had planned to blog about the pregnancy this morning (I know, finally) but as an American and a military wife, it'd feel trivial to just gloss over yesterday’s announcement.
My grandpa vividly remembers hearing the announcement of Hitler’s death when he was just a nine-year-old boy. I believe last night will live on in our memories as well. Yesterday around noon, Matt and I noticed while driving through the gate that the FPCON status had been raised to Bravo. E-mails and official text messages had been distributed with the same information. When friends at other bases shared that they, too, are at Bravo, we knew it meant something serious for our nation as a whole.
Matt and I were eating dinner with a fellow Academy graduate and his wife last night when a knock came at their door. It was another lieutenant, who announced that Osama bin Laden had been killed. Since none of us have television service, we walked across the street to yet another friend’s house to watch the coverage. Our group of servicemen and their wives gathered around one small TV to watch the Commander in Chief make the announcement. We imagined it was a similar gathering to the one my grandpa might have had – many people gathered around one radio or small TV to listen to the historic news. The mood was celebratory yet somber, and when President Obama concluded his remarks, our host raised his wine glass in a toast to the president for the great military success.
We thought the speech was well-suited for the occasion, and especially liked President Obama’s closing remarks: “The cause of securing our country is not complete. But tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to. … Let us remember that we can do these things not just because of wealth or power, but because of who we are: one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Matt and I discussed yesterday’s event, 9/11, and everything that happened in between – including his decision to serve as an officer in the United States Air Force – into the early hours of the morning. Mitt Romney summed up our thoughts rather well: "This is a great victory for lovers of freedom and justice everywhere. Congratulations to our intelligence community, our military and the president. My thoughts are with the families of Osama bin Laden's many thousands of victims, and the brave servicemen and women who have laid down their lives in pursuit of this murderous terrorist."
Right now, like Mitt Romney and so many others, our thoughts and prayers are with the thousands of innocent victims and their families, and with the thousands of brave men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom. May God protect them, and may God bless America.
I am SO thankful for our military! Tell your husband and all of your military friends and family thanks :)
ReplyDeleteVery well said. I agree completely. I will always remember where I was when I heard the news and watched our President address his death. What a proud day for our nation and troops!
ReplyDeleteHUA :)
ReplyDeleteI believe for Americans as a whole, this is a proud historic moment; an event that leaves us with a sense of vindication, renewed purpose in the fight against terrorism, and reflection for the lives lost on Sep. 11th, as well as in the military since. For my generation especially, it is a poignant occasion. Our entire adolescence and young adult years have been lived in a time of war, which have forever shaped our way of life, and our views of freedom and patriotism. It is this shared experience that binds us to a hope and feeling of justice for a greater America, and today, in a time of evident recession, this hope was rekindled.
ReplyDeleteMany reports have come to light of the evidence of intelligence, the decisions made by President Obama leading to the assault, and the bravery and accuracy of the Navy Seals, as well as the CIA affiliates. But one I feel must also be attributed for this success is President George W. Bush. Shortly after Sep. 11th, he made a promise of justice to the American people. He proclaimed Bin Laden the FBI Most Wanted, approved interrogations of al Qaeda members, (thereby learning a nickname of a particular courier to Bin Laden) and unbeknownst to us, made it a priority decision to find this particular courier. With this critical decision made, the CIA was able to discover the courier's real name and use surveillance to track him into Pakistan. It was this same surveillance which ultimately led the U.S. directly into this famed compound and resulted in Bin Laden's death. Had it not been for the combined efforts of both presidencies, CIA, and military officials, this day would not have ever reached fruition. I also feel God was in the workings of this day. He had a time for justice and action. And as America acted on this choice of liberty, he protected all who were involved in the mission, so no harm would come upon them, and a great evil could be extinguished from the earth. I am extremely grateful to my Heavenly Father, and to our military and government officials who make America's freedom and safety a priority. Undoubtedly, this is not the end to our fight. More insurrections against America will rise, and new leaders will be appointed, but today, we have been forcefully reminded of the power of America and it's principles. It is fitting we remember this day, remember all who were involved, the values of our country, and let it become apart of our consciences'. I think one Navy Seal said it best," For God and country, Geronimo!"
We were getting ready for bed with the TV still on when the announcement came from the President. We were shocked and so happy with the news that this terrorist was finally captured and killed. We explained to Trey what was happening since he was still awake and we let him stay up for a bit and watch along with us since it was such an important historic moment. He seemed to realize and was suddenly "grown up" and very serious as we all listened together. My work, today, has all been talking about it all day long. We are all so relieved with this news. We can't imagine how dangerous this operation must have been. We are so proud of our american soldiers!! The celebrating going on in New York and in Washington DC was really neat to watch on the TV.
ReplyDeletemy hubby and i sat glued to the TV watching it together on our couch. we couldn't believe it! it's a proud day, we caught the bad guy and even though it won't stop all of the terrorism i think it is an incredible and huge victory for everyone in the world. God Bless our Troops and their bravery. I'm not anxious to to have my hubby deploying there soon, cuz i'm scared of the aftermath, but it's these brave servicemen and women that get the job done and fight for our freedoms! The world is a better place with his kind of evil gone!
ReplyDeleteVery well said Ash!
ReplyDelete