Five Years Later

We have a tiny little TV here at work- not more than a 10” screen, I would think- and our reception is pretty bad because of all the rock piles and metal conveyors. Yet five years ago today, I was glued to that tiny, grainy screen, watching in absolute horror as the second plane hit the Twin Towers. Honestly, it felt like my heart would burst right out of my chest, and my first thought was, “Where is my son??!!” My head knew he would still be in Japan, but at that moment and in the days to follow, I could think of nothing but what response we would have to such an atrocity and what role he, as a Marine, would be required to take. It would be two full weeks before I could talk to him.
Rob never deployed to Afghanistan. He served out the rest of his enlistment in Japan, South Korea and Thailand. As soon as he got out, two more sons enlisted, even though the Long War was continuing in Afghanistan and was imminent in Iraq. And then another, the last, enlisted. All three deployed, all three made it home safe, and don’t think I don’t count my blessings everyday for being one of the lucky moms.

Yet still… I sit here, at the same desk, doing the same things I was five years ago, and my heart STILL feels heavy, pounding, I am on the verge of tears. Raging, as it were, that what has happened to us has nearly made me godless, eroded my humanity and my compassion. Because I have found out that there are things about which I just DON’T CARE.

I DON’T CARE that not every Muslim is a terrorist.

I DON’T CARE that terrorist scum hide among civilians.

I DON’T CARE what it takes to kill them.

I hear people saying we don't need this war
I say there's some things worth fighting for
What about our freedom and this piece of ground?
We didn't get to keep 'em by backing down
They say we don't realize the mess we're getting in
Before you start preaching
Let me ask you this my friend

CHORUS 1
Have you forgotten how it felt that day
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away?
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside
Going through a living hell
And you say we shouldn't worry 'bout Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

They took all the footage off my T.V.
Said it's too disturbing for you and me
It'll just breed anger that's what the experts say
If it was up to me I'd show it every day
Some say this country's just out looking for a fight
After 9/11 man I'd have to say that's right

CHORUS 1
Have you forgotten how it felt that day
To see your homeland under fire
And her people blown away?
Have you forgotten when those towers fell?
We had neighbors still inside
Going through a living hell
And we vowed to get the ones behind Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

I've been there with the soldiers
Who've gone away to war
And you can bet that they remember
Just what they're fighting for

CHORUS 2
Have you forgotten all the people killed?
Yes, some went down like heroes in that Pennsylvania field
Have you forgotten about our Pentagon?
All the loved ones that we lost
And those left to carry on
Don't you tell me not to worry 'bout Bin Laden
Have you forgotten?

Have you forgotten?
Have you forgotten?

-Darryl Worley

I haven’t forgotten. If I live to be a hundred, I won’t forget, I’ll never forgive and I don’t care what it takes to kill you cocksuckers.