Let talk about the news.  Watching the news recently includes talk about Afghanistan, COVID cases and deaths, and upcoming coverage on the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.  An now, the recent news includes the devastation of hurricane Ida, currently hitting Louisiana and the surrounding area.  It seems there are people suffering around the globe for so many reasons.  We are experiencing a difficult time, but we are resilient.  We will come through all our current turmoil, stronger and ready for the future.

With great tragedy come heroes.  The recent bombing in Afghanistan took the lives of too many people, including our US Military members, and parents and children.  It wounded others who will forever be affected by trauma.    I have seen tributes to the fallen military members, and my heart and admiration goes out to their loved ones.  They gave their lives to save others, as have their fallen comrades before them.  Their bravery and devotion should be remembered always, and we should never forget that there is danger around the world, and at home.

The memory of 9/11 is still in the forefront of our memory.  The 20^th anniversary is soon approaching, and as we remember, we also remember how that event changed our country forever.  Working on a military base on that faithful day, I remember watching the television coverage with my coworkers, as we watched the devastation.  As horrified as we were watching the towers fall, and the pentagon burn, I was encouraged as our country came together to care for each other.  I watched the firefighters sift through the twin towers looking for survivors.  We heard about the heroes on the flight that went down in Pennsylvania and how they stormed the cockpit to save others in the last target of that day.  American flags came out and were displayed proudly. 

As COVID continues to ravage our country, there are heroes on the front line again.  Our countries doctors and nurses are saving lives, and holding hands of those dying alone.   They are fighting for our lives, the lives of their families, and their own lives.  They are exhausted, but still working to do their jobs.  Make no mistake, they are heroes.   

People are now responding to hurricane Ida, and New Orleans will rebuild itself again.  The utility companies will respond to begin to get power back to the millions of people without it.  The people will rebuild, because as Americans, we are resilient and strong.  We recover stronger and more determined.  We survive, as we always have. 

As we mourn the loss of so many, from war, from COVID, and from Mother Nature, we hold on to whatever hope we have left and we survive.  We look to the future, with anticipation.  We should remember our ability to recover, and be better for the experience.  While we remember those who are lost, and celebrate our heroes, we rebuild.  Americans don’t give up, and we don’t lie down.  We need to challenge ourselves and the world to be a better place.  How will you make the world, your world, a better place?  How will you recover from the recent trauma and tragedy, and be stronger?  How will you be a hero, for you, for your loved ones you lost, or your family still here counting on you?  We all have strength in us.  We all have the ability to be someone’s hero.  What kind of hero will you be?  Be your kind of hero, making the world a better place, and a happier place.