And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world ask not what America will do for you but what together we can do for the freedom of man. – President John F. Kennedy
For years there have been tragic events that have shaken our world. I remember growing up and hearing stories from relatives how they knew exactly what they were doing when Pearl Harbor was attacked and when Kennedy was shot but never really understood it, or should I say, felt it to the core.
Then when the Challenger space shuttle blew up in 1986 I got a taste of a disaster in my own life time that I would forever recall the details, but nothing prepared me for September 11, 2001.
I was at my office, then in New York, treating a Vietnam Veteran when his wife Susan called frantically trying to describe to him what was happening through her tears. In disbelief, David and I turned on my 13” semi-color TV/VCR combo and watched in horror as the news poured in.
Most of us have similar recollections of 9/11 and how it made us feel personally. Those memories are likely to include how fantastic it was when we came together as a nation in support of those who perished, were injured, lost loves ones and for our country.
How about the nights glued to the TV, watching in tears, as personal stories came in from relatives of innocent family members killed during the attacks or the heroics of Flight 93 and Todd Beamer’s “Let’s Roll” battle cry? Sadly, we continue to lose heroes daily.
For a long time I had always wanted to honor the brave men and women that protect our country, our streets and attend to our needs everyday and during critical emergencies. Last year, I hosted a special event at my office in honor of those who serve where I treated these brave men and women for free. It was nice to have an opportunity to give back.
