Hallowed Ground

Throughout the course of history, unimaginable events have unfolded that always seem to result in the question, "Where were you when... John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas? Neil Armstrong walked on the moon? Elvis/Marilyn/Princess Diana died? The Towers fell?"

Memories of where we were, how we heard the devastating news, and how we reacted are indelibly burned into our minds. The events of just a few hours in history on September 11th, 2001 affected each of us individually, and changed us as a nation. They changed the course of many, many lives in ways some of us cannot begin to imagine.

While we stop and reflect on the lives lost on that day in the Twin Towers, on the streets of New York, in the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and in a field in Pennsylvania, let us also pause in remembrance of all of the lives that have been sacrificed SINCE then, in defense of our freedom as Americans, and of the lives of those who lost someone they loved. With no less honor and courage than those who served others in the hours following the terrorist attacks, men and women from all walks of life have given their all in the pursuit of justice and freedom for our country for years. For all Americans. They serve also in defense of those who cannot defend themselves - in pursuit of justice and freedom for all humanity.

In light of the hatred, fear, supremacy and intolerance that has recently reared its ugly head over the sanctity of Ground Zero, let us not forget that every square inch of America is hallowed ground. One Nation Under GOD. Not Jesus. Not Joseph Smith. Not Buddah. Not The Torah. Not the Quaran. Not the Bible. GOD. An absolute Holy Being known by many names, in many languages. We in America have the blessing of being allowed to choose who, what, where, when, and how to worship. Let us not only exercise that right for ourselves and our chosen faith, but defend it for ALL peoples and ALL faiths, and to respect one another equally as our nations' forefathers intended:

"When we regard a part of our own Species in the most abject and contemptible Degree below us, we lose that Idea of the dignity of Man which the Hand of Nature had implanted in us, for great and useful purposes." - George Mason, Patriot, Statesman, Author of the Virginia Bill of Rights, and 'Father of the U.S. Bill of Rights'. And my ancestor.