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September 21, 2001

We stand united as 'Americans'

By Gene Hall
Publisher

Of course, we all knew nothing would ever be the same again. I, along with two colleagues, had been traveling to a meeting on September 11, only a short distance from the Waco office, in Salado. The tragedy unfolded over the airwaves as we sat in stunned silence, locked to the radio's grim message of terror unleashed on American soil.

The office secretaries of TFB District 8 were meeting and we were on the program. All eyes were sad. There was none of the joking and happiness that we expect when Farm Bureau people get together. All of our thoughts and prayers were with our fellow citizens in New York, Washington, and Boston... people we might call "Yankees" in other circumstances.

Now their tragedy had become our own. We wished and hoped that we would have an opportunity to make some sacrifice that would help our brothers and sisters on the East Coast. We were numb, even as the meeting ended and we headed back for Waco.

It was the flags I noticed first. The many small post offices, government buildings and even private homes were flying Old Glory at half-staff. It was too early for an official declaration. No one had told anyone to lower the Stars and Stripes, but every flag I saw had been lowered to signal national grief. The flags in front of our own Farm Bureau building sent the same silent, yet profound, message.

I write this on September 12, the day after the worst terrorist attack in history. I suppose I am letting some of my own pain spill out, in hopes that sharing it will somehow help. They wounded us.

Still, this story has just begun. The final chapter could be months, or years away. As painful as it is, we will cling to the memory. The memory will give us strength. This tragedy cannot be allowed to pass into history unanswered. The world has felt before the might that American rage can produce.

Pearl Harbor occurred 13 years before I was born, so I can offer no first hand knowledge of the impact of that horrific event. What I saw yesterday, however, and today, is an America united in a way that I have never seen before. I am proud of our president. I trust he will do what is necessary to see that justice is served.

I only know that America learned a hard lesson this September. Our squabbles over seemingly important issues now seem much less than they had been before. I see signs of statesmanship as our leaders urge Americans to unite behind the man from Texas, who undoubtedly feels a heavy burden and an awesome responsibility.

I also know that on this grim morning after there are no Yankees or Southerners, no Democrats or Republicans, only Americans. That is the only label that any of us feel comfortable wearing today.