By Frederick R. Bedell Jr., Grand Knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus Council #5911
It was reported that 1,800 people affected by the 9/11 terror attack have asked President Biden not to attend the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, unless he orders the release of documents they claim show links between the Saudi government and al Qaeda. Well I totally agree. There are those who view this to be too extreme and that we need to move on. But I’m greatly troubled by the belief of some who think we need to move on, that there is is too much talk of 9/11 20 years later.
We have lost thousands of good people including 343 Firefighters who gave their lives to save the many. Not to mention the many first responders who have died and the many who are dying from the effects of the attacks and many more who will suffer in the future. A husband lost his wife, a father lost his son, a mother lost her daughter and friends lost friends. How does one forget? Future generations need to know what happened on that day of evil and who was responsible, for when we disregard history, we are doomed to repeat it. Now, to President Biden, I say do the right thing!
Now, to my fellow Americans, remember what happened on 9/11 and let’s not forget. Remember this also, in the days and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American Flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shouldered against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled her through some difficult times and it shouldn’t take another attack to galvanize us into solidarity again.
Our American Flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail. Fly the American Flag of any size on 9/11; and, in all honesty I believe that all Americans should fly the flag year round. However let’s start flying the American Flag on every September 11th. I call for this, being a veteran of the U.S. Navy era of the Vietnam war, a member of the American Legion Post # 103, a member of the Queens Village Republican club, Grand Knight of St. Anastasia Knights of Columbus Council # 5911 in Douglaston and a member of the Catholics War Veterans. Now that being said, I am thanking everyone for your participation, and may God bless you and may God bless America,
Sincerely Yours,
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Bellerose, N.Y.
