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One Nation Under God- Reflections of the Week that Changed Our Lives Forever- by Alejandro Menchaca
The images of fire, bent steel, and grief stricken faces will forever be etched in our memories. These images will play back, again and again, in our nightmares, and will be the images we mourn in our prayers. On one fateful morning, we were roused from our innocent slumber, our eyes transfixed and horrified by the collapse of tall buildings, the loss of so many lives, and the tearing apart of so many families. In an instant, wives were made widows, children made orphans, and rescue workers and ordinary citizens turned into martyrs. In an instant, the Pentagon’s formidable exterior was punctured, a malignant wound torn into its side like the wound that festers in the hearts of all Americans. In an instant, the New York City skyline was changed, a hulk of rubble and smoke now sit where the World Trade Center towers once stood, gleaming against the sun and sky. In an instant, the course of history was altered. In an instant, our lives were changed forever.
Yet in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks, new images have sprung from the rubble and taken root in our hearts. These have been the images of men, women, and children of all races, religions, political beliefs, and backgrounds coming together under one flag and as one people- Americans. These have been the images of rescue workers, firefighters, and police officers, who raced into the burning towers with a sense of defiant purpose to evacuate the buildings, saving countless lives, and sacrificing their own. Whatever your political affiliation, one could not help be overcome by a sense of pride in our nation’s leaders, when the members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans, stood shoulder to shoulder to sing a rendition of “God Bless America”. In the National Cathedral, religious leaders of all faiths came together to proclaim that “Love and not hate will prevail” and affirm our faith in God as a source of strength, comfort, and healing. Never before did America stand as “One Nation Under God”. These are the images of unity. They represent the unwavering belief that together, as one people, we shall heal and be made stronger. From American flags flying from the porches of every home to candles flickering against teary, but purposeful countenances; never before has the United States of America been so united.
And these images of unity are not restricted to our borders. The entire world has come to our side expressing a global sense of empathy and grief. In Buckingham’s Palace, Londoners were moved to tears when the Queen ordered the Palace Guard to break with tradition and play “The Star Spangled Banner”. On Friday afternoon, between the hours of eleven and twelve, the bustling of human activity was stilled throughout the world. From Bucharest to Moscow, Paris to Warsaw, the world’s people observed a moment of silence- a stirring encomium to those who perished on Tuesday and a message to America from the world, that we are not alone in our sadness.
For many of us, these images have germinated in our hearts and minds, yielding an indomitable sense of pride and hope. A small group of heartless individuals reminded us that evil resides in human beings, but this week has also restored a sense of faith in our fellow man. Goodness, sympathy, and generosity reside in the hearts of so many. Tuesday’s terrorist attacks rent apart mighty steel girders, leveling tall skyscrapers. But in response to the destruction, we have erected bridges amongst each other. We have all donned hardhats and like spiritual architects, have erected bridges of support and foundations for the weary to stand. We have reached out to those in need of succor and sympathy, sending a message to our fellow man that regardless of where we reside, what our skin color is, what system of government we endorse, or what God we kneel before, the suffering of one man affects us all and will not be ignored. We as human beings have come together to show that we really do care about the welfare of our fellow man. United, the wounds will heal quicker. And united, we will be better prepared for the trials and tribulations that lie ahead. United, One People Under God, we will be prepared for what is yet to come.
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Alejandro Menchaca is the President of the Latino Professional Network.
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