Bill Frist, a U.S. Senator from Tennessee from 1995 to 2007, said in regard to the Sept. 11 attacks on our country: “We all have a duty to devote at least a small portion of our daily lives to ensuring that neither America nor the world ever forget Sept. 11.” He was right. Still is.
That attack happened 22 years ago, and I haven’t forgotten. I can’t.
I was the publisher of a small daily newspaper in Nebraska at the time, and I also managed our commercial printing plant. My boss and I were seeing a customer in Kansas City for dinner on Sept. 10 and had hotel rooms that night. I turned the TV on in my room in the morning and saw the report of the first plane hitting one of the Twin Towers. We all know what happened next. We were driving back to Nebraska that morning while listening to the reports on the radio. I was frantically calling our newsroom, pushing for a story with photos for the afternoon paper.
Meanwhile, my wife was home with our 3-year-old and 1-year-old daughters. I couldn’t get home with them fast enough. Later, I realized how much Alan Jackson’s “Where Were You” song struck a chord.
Times like that made me feel fortunate to live in the middle of nowhere, as the terrorists likely didn’t even know where Nebraska was. Then, President Bush’s security team was informed about the possibility of further terrorist attacks in Washington, D.C., and of a direct threat to Air Force One. A radio report said President Bush was being transported to Offutt Air Force Base, home of U.S. Strategic Command and the 55th Wing. The communication abilities, location and overall security apparently made it a desirable location. Selfishly, having President Bush at this air base less than an hour from my home did not sound desirable to me.
“Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward,” President Bush told the world, “and freedom will be defended.”
Amidst all the fear and the anxiety and the uncertainty, a sense of pride came to most Americans. We may not agree on God, guns, abortion, handouts or global warming, but we do agree on one thing: Nobody attacks America and gets away with it. Nobody.
Unfortunately, our response to the attacks by Afghan terrorists turned into a lengthy war on Iraq, where our Department of Defense went on the offense. Meanwhile, America changed. We gave up some freedoms so we could keep our freedom. Air travel became more complicated. Our trust in many foreigners diminished. And we were uneasy going inside tall buildings. Over time, we got used to it — and maybe that’s the real problem.
The terrorists will attack us again. They hate our way of life, our freedoms, our pride. But they also now know that America won’t be bullied and that those who attack us will be killed. May we never forget those who died so that we may maintain our freedom.
Have a memorable Monday, and thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305
www.thedailyumbrella.com
View Shane Goodman's archived columns from past issues here. |
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| CITYVIEW's Best Of Des Moines® | | | CITYVIEW announced its 2023 Best Of Des Moines® readers' choices Jan. 31. You can find all the results from the poll in the February issue of CITYVIEW magazine!
Best local school district
1. Waukee Community School District
2. Des Moines Public Schools
3. Johnston Community School District
SEE BEST OF DES MOINES® EVENT PHOTOS HERE... | | | Read More |
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Your Clear Mortgage forecast
Rain chances move out early in the day, though a few sprinkles are possible Tuesday. Cooler weather along with dry conditions follow into the weekend.
For help with preapprovals or refinancing, get in touch with Carrie at carrie.mortgage. |
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| Featured home for sale | | | |
$394,990
1130 S. Radley St.,
West Des Moines, IA 50266
MOVE IN READY! Welcome to this new community Mill Ridge! This community features many home plans that features the popular Cedar Plan. Wonderful community amenities include a pool, clubhouse and pickle ball court. 15-year water proofing foundation, LVP flooring, Arlo Video doorbell, passive radon system and more! Quick access to Jordan Creek mall shopping, great restaurants, entertainment, interstate, schools, walking and bike path trail heads, parks & more! Hubbell Homes' Preferred Lenders offer $1750 in closing costs. Not valid with any other offer and subject to change without notice.
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FROM KCCI: Des Moines City Council to vote on special election after Sheumaker resignation
DES MOINES, Iowa — People living in Des Moines' Ward 1 may soon vote for a new city council member. On Saturday, an item was added to Monday's city council agenda. Council members will vote on whether to hold a special election on Nov. 7 to fill Indira Sheumaker's position. READ MORE FROM KCCI
FROM WHO-TV: March to the Capitol walk to honor 9/11 victims and heroes
Des Moines, IOWA — March to the Capitol walk honors victims and heroes killed on September 11th, 2001. Monday will mark 22 years since the terrorist attacks in our country. ... READ MORE FROM WHO-TV
FROM WOI-DT Local 5: Why did gas prices go up so much on Friday?
Gas prices zoomed past $4 a gallon in the Des Moines metro on Friday. So why the sudden spike?. ...READ MORE FROM WOI-DT Local 5 |
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| Personalities | | | Put me in, coach
Lessons from a master
By Jackie Wilson
As a 5-year-old, Jinbang Jeong began taekwondo training at his home in Seoul, South Korea. He became an Olympic taekwondo sparring athlete at age 11 and began teaching and coaching at age 22.
Today, Master Jeong is a taekwondo coach, teaching students at Master Jeong’s Tae Kwon Do & Family Martial Arts in Clive. Jeong and his wife, Eunie Ko, who helps translate for him, moved to Waukee in 2018.
Sparring is a type of freeform simulated combat, delivered with punches and kicks between two athletes. Jeong says his first coach, Master Seo, was a dedicated coach, and the Olympic training was intense.
“We worked out every day with very long days, with time only to eat and sleep,” he recalls.
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| Birthdays and notables! | | | Happy Birthday to Brian Cheese!
These celebrities were born on this date:Amy Madigan, Brian De Palma, Charles Kelley, Earl Holliman, Elizabeth Henstridge, Harry Connick Jr., John Hawkes, Laura Wright, Ludacris, Mickey Hart, Moby, Taraji P. Henson, Tommy Shaw
SUBMIT: Send your birthday greetings and congratulatory notes to: tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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The answer to yesterday's riddle:
What did the donkey do when he got cut off while driving? HE-HAWKED (HE HONKED!) - Rex Post, Judy Anderson, Gail Tomlinson. OR, Hit the "bray"kes! - Carolyn Rogers
Today's riddle
What’s the difference between a police horse and a regular horse?
Have a guess? Email tammy@iowalivingmagazines.com |
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