God Bless America

As we depart for Machu Picchu, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, it is hard to ignore the date on my watch. 9/11.

The memory of this date and what has transpired since evokes a wide range of emotions: profound sadness, patriotism, deep anger. Just thinking about still brings tears to my eyes. I was a Sophomore at Indiana University that Autumn morning. Sleeping safely in the cold dorm of Pi Kappa Phi alongside 45 smelly fraternity brothers, I gingerly awoke to the commotion. Was I hearing it right? No. No way. Swiftly moving through the hallway made of indestructible walls, I found my way to a room shared with 5 other Brothers. All four televisions were tuned to various stations: FoxNews, Weather Channel, CNN, Local ABC. All showing the terrifying replay of that fateful morning.

Trying to understand the magnitude of this horrendous event, we sat around the ‘tube with hardly a word spoken. When it became clear that the plane crashes were no coincidence, that it was an incredibly callous and cowardly act of terrorism, my thoughts were trained on revenge. This feeling of rage stayed with me for days, then turned to a distinct feeling of patriotism. That I lived in the Land of the Free, Home of the Brave.

Knowing that the world is full of great people – from Argentina to Botswana, from India to Vietnam, from Russia to Jordan – I reckoned it was time discover what the civilized world has to offer. While I am jokester at heart, one thing I take quite seriously is being an United States of America Ambassador. The stereotype going of the USA is that Americans believe they are better than everyone else. And that is what two folks in Peru told me in just 10 days here. Though after spending some time with them, they see ordinary Americans are just like them. We share the same family values, demand respect, and are generally selfless.

Being away from the Stars and Stripes for over 12 months, makes me long for the simple things of life like ordering a burger and actually getting a burger. I will miss so many things I take for granted like sharing a beer with good friends or going to Lincoln Park High School to vote in a fair election.

If September 11, 2001 taught me anything, it is this: while humankind can be cruel at times, the masses share a common goal of freedom and prosperity. And you can’t let the bad apples overshadow all the good in this world.

Feel free to leave your own thoughts or comments below. Thanks for reading and may God Bless America.