Was YOUR Flag Soaring High?
Was your flag soaring high on September Ten? Or did it not seem so
important back then? You raise it now as you play our nation's song.
The questions remains: For how long?
Was your patriotism showing on September Nine? Or had it been hidden
away for quite some time? You proudly profess it now, more than in the
past.
The question remains: How long will it last?
Would you stop and help a stranger on September Eight? Or did you pass
him by, not wanting to be late? You volunteer now no matter what the
venue.
The question remains: Will it continue?
Did you support the officer's of the law on September Seven? Or just
complain about the violence on the news at eleven? You now boast on how
they are the best in the land.
The question remains: How long will it stand?
Did you appreciate our firefighters on September Six? Or curse, when
slowed by their trucks, put you in a fix? You now call them heroes and
the cream of the crop.
The question remains: When will it stop?
Were you a recurrent blood donor on September Five? Or just expect it to
be there, to keep "you" alive? Now to give, you stand and cheer for
hours in a line.
The question remains: Will there be enough next time?
Did you respect our military on September Four? Or applaud defense cuts
on the congressional floor? You now salute and honor them like you give
a damn.
The question remains: Will it be another Viet Nam?
Did you sacrifice for your neighbors on September Three? Or did you just
think, there's nothing in it for me? Now you console and comfort them in
their sorrow.
The Question remains: Will you be there tomorrow?
Were you praying for world peace on September Two? Or were there more
important things you had to do? Now you go to church, the synagogue and
mass.
The question remains: Will this too, just pass?
Were you united behind your President on September One? Or still angry
because you thought Al Gore had won? Now you denounce bipartisanship,
all for one cause.
The question remains: When will this too pause?
It was tragic what happened to our Nation on September Eleven.
We saw a glimpse of hell; for answers we looked up to heaven. We found
the lining behind the cloud and Made some good from that fateful day.
The questions remain: What did we learn and How long will it stay that
way.
Ken B. Lemons USAF(Ret) � January 2002
Author