Remembering 9/11

In spite of the dark events in Afghanistan in recent weeks or maybe because of them, there appeared to be a robust surge of patriotism on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. I hope it continues. 

And I hope it is sustained by a renewed commitment to defend the values of faith, family and freedom – especially as we watch Afghanistan descend into darkness. Progress and prosperity are never guaranteed. 

Carol and I were in the Atlanta suburbs over the weekend. Even in some left-leaning areas, there seemed to be an unusual number of flags flying outside homes and businesses or hanging in windows. In the middle of a wooded park, we saw a pond with an island that had been encircled in little flags. 

Of course, there were the major memorial events at Ground Zero, in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon. But there were scores of memorials all over the country in towns big and small. Many churches and communities made their own memorials with thousands of little flags, each one representing an American who died on 9/11.

Many Americans, especially New Yorkers, were deeply moved by the remarks of Leylah Annie Fernandez. A Canadian, Ms. Fernandez was the runner-up in the U.S. Women's Tennis Open, which is played every year at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York City. This year's championship game was played Saturday, September 11th.

After losing the final game to England's Emma Raducanu, Fernandez, who is just 19 years old, demonstrated true sportsmanship when she said:

"I know on this day it's especially hard for New York and everyone around the United States. I just want to say that I hope I can be as strong and resilient as New York has been the last 20 years."

I can't prove it, but all actions cause a reaction. Perhaps Joe Biden's radical push to the left is causing a backlash. There were more anti-Biden protests at college football games this weekend. [WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE.] We'll see how this all plays out over the weeks and months ahead.

Nevertheless, there were isolated cases of pure left-wing idiocy. I won't demoralize you with a litany of examples. 

But in Washington state, one high school abruptly canceled a 9/11 tribute because some school officials were evidently concerned that football players wearing red, white and blue might "unintentionally cause offense to some who see it [the flag] differently."

Excuse me?! 

Can you imagine anyone in 1961 canceling an event on the 20th anniversary of Pearl Harbor because it might offend Imperial Japan? And what about everyone else who was offended because the patriotic tribute to our country was canceled?