Commentary

For those in their late twenties or early thirties, September 11, 2001, is "a date which will live in infamy."

Tomorrow, it'll be the 19th anniversary of that shocking, numbing, bewildering day.

Like December 7, 1941, was for our parents' generation, the United States changed dramatically that day. We plunged headlong into a war which continues to this day, a war against oppression and tyranny.

Osama bin Laden and the Taliban conceived a master stroke: hijacking cross-continent aircraft fully laden with fuel, and flying them into those symbols of capitalism, the World Trade Centers; the Pentagon, and most likely, the U.S. Capitol.

Thanks to the heroics of those Flight 93 passengers, the Taliban was denied its grand slam. Of that airplane that careened into a field near Shanksville, Penn., there wasn't any piece resembling an aircraft left, it struck so hard and at such a deadly angle.

We should never forget that pivotal day in our nation's history.

I got a call to switch on the television, then woke up my sons so they could witness history in the making.

We sat utterly shocked and amazed at what was unfolding before our eyes.

We clasped hands, bowed and prayed. When we looked up after prayer, there was only one tower standing.

We watched, horrified, as the second tower collapsed.

We need to remember that day and never forget those who wanted to visit such horror upon our nation.

People with unbounded hatred for our free society and way of life tightened oppressive bands on us a little more that day.

Now we have to line up and wait, shoes, wallet, phone, keys, belt, etc. deposited in a tray so it can be x-rayed, and our bodies scanned prior to boarding an airplane.

Depending upon your point of departure, you might be asked to arrive two hours or more prior to your flight time.

It's a risk that comes with a free society. Wherever there is something good, bad guys find a way to exploit it for dark purposes.

Our Founding Fathers put no restrictions on who can practice their free speech, freedom to pursue happiness and live in peace. So bad people have exploited that, melding into our society with intentions like rats stealing from shadow to shadow.

We should all pray that U.S. intelligence never drops its vigilance again, as happened under the Clinton Administration's watch.

Remember the hearings where Lt. Col. Oliver North was interrogated? Asked whom he most feared and why he had an expensive security system installed at his home, North answered: "Osama bin Laden."

Thankfully, U.S. Intelligence did track down Bin Laden and shot him dead. Other Taliban leaders, one by one, have met the same fate.

It took a long time.

Hopefully, it will never happen again.

Remember 9-11-2001.