Eleven Things You Need To Remember About 9/11

It's sad but true: As the years go by, September 11 will recede from memory.
People who were alive on 9/11/01 will pass away. And those born years from now will have to rely on the stories and recollections of others or whatever winds up in the history books.
Given that secondary recollections are not always reliable and considering that history books have been sanitized by political correctness, we all need to begin to embrace a core set of 9/11 truths now -- things that we need to remember and pass on to future generations.
With that in mind, here (in no particular order) are 11 things you need to remember about September 11:
1) September 11 is better termed an atrocity than a tragedy. When you hear people refer to the events of that day as "tragic," correct them. Tell them what happened was atrocious, unconscionable and unforgivable.
2) The attack of September 11 was an affront to all human sensibility. The attack was an act of pure evil. And yes -- there is evil in the world.
3) Those who attacked our nation on September 11 want to annihilate all of us and destroy our very way of life. They are still active and their goals have not changed.
4) Thanks in large part to the policies put in place and the actions taken by President George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, there has been no direct attack on our nation since 9/11/01.
5) Those who attacked America were and are cowards. They hide from others; they operate in darkness or under disguise; they run and they plan their dastardly acts in secret.
6) The victims of September 11 are not martyrs. Rather, they are heroes. They were innocent people living everyday lives and pursuing everyday dreams. To the extent they were able to, they struggled to survive and reached out to help others.
7) The heroic first responders who rushed in to help on that day and beyond exemplify the pinnacle of bravery, honor and self sacrifice. They are patriots.
8) In the words of President Bush: "Whether we bring our enemies to justice or justice to our enemies, justice will be done." This must remain our goal and our mission from September 11, onward.
9) September 11 constituted the worst attack ever ever perpetrated on American soil by a foreign enemy. It was unprecedented.
10) The loss, the anguish, the horror of September 11 lives on among the survivors and among the families and friends of the victims. Lives were forever changed that day.
11) Spirituality was, is and will always be a part of our response as Americans to that infamous day. Your steadfast commitment to honor the solemn memory of September 11, to seek justice and to comfort those who still suffer must be accompanied by prayer and reflection. Remember. Reaffirm. Renew.

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O Beautiful, For Spacious Skies . . . .

Live in Concert with the Edmonton Symphony - 1981

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Dom Giordano Likes It, And So Will You!

This morning Dom Giordano kicked off his hugely successful radio program on The Big Talker, 1210 AM in Philadelphia by mentioning our list of the 100 Reasons To Love America,
Dom called the list "wonderful" and we are flattered to be so recognized. Thanks, Dom!
Here's the list again, in honor of the 4th of July:

This is our own rather subjective list.
You can feel free to add or subtract from this list or create your own list. America gives you the freedom to do that -- and a lot more. God bless America!
1) Our constitution. The thread that holds us together and the bulwark of democracy.
2) Our federal system of 50 states, each distinctive, each free and independent but united as well.
3) The Liberty Bell. Forever flawed though nonetheless inspiring and eternal.
4) The Founding Fathers and what they wrought. They risked their lives, property, fortunes and sacred honor.
5) American summers, for summer is surely America's season.
6) Old glory, our flag -- proud, bright, brash and always flying high.
7) In God We Trust. Our ensuing faith in Him and His destiny for us.
8) Baseball. While football may be America's sport, baseball remains its pastime. There is a difference.
9) The 4th of July. Our birthday and our touchstone.
10) Free elections. The right to choose the leaders that we want.
11) Jazz. America's unique musical art form.
12) Those who served. Our veterans, protectors of our freedom.
13) The American Red Cross. There when we need them.
14) Our free enterprise system. A model for the entire world.
15) Country music. The hip-slapping spirit of America.
16) Hollywood. Tinseltown and its gift to the world -- movies.
17) The Statue of Liberty. May her torch always be held high.
18) Walt Disney. The gift of imagination and wholesome entertainment from an American genius.
19) Our military --every branch and every one who serves.
20) The Grand Canyon. In a word, breathtaking.
21) The legacy of Ronald Reagan -- the leader who showed us the way and opened the door to the 21st Century.
22) Freedom to worship, Our many houses of faith all across the land.
23) The Interstate Highway System. Thank you, President Eisenhower.
24) Our first responders, brave and steadfast.
25) Small towns. Where America's heart beats true.
26) Television. For better or worse, it reflects us and epitomizes the popular culture.
27) Our farmers. Keeping the agrarian spirit alive and the horn of plenty full.
28) Broadway. The Great White Way, and all that it represents and all the hustle and bustle that surrounds it.
29) American cars (and our love affair with the car). The US auto industry has seen better days but don't ever count it out.
30) Coca-Cola. The drink that IS America.
31) Las Vegas. Vegas, baby, Vegas!
32) Thanksgiving. A uniquely American holiday and the kickoff to our buying season.
33) The Rocky Mountains. America's sturdy backbone.
34) Neighbors and neighborhoods. Our real time, real people link in a high-tech age.
35) Our national park system. Even with those pesky rangers, it's a joy.
36) The Grand Old Party. The Party that saved the union -- keeping faith in America through good times and bad.
37) Apple pie. Yummy, yummy!
38) Gospel music. Expressing faith, love, joy and anguish.
39)The Gateway Arch. A soaring, inspiring welcome to America's frontier.
40) Cowboys. The soul of our wanderlust.
41) Elvis Presley. The King is on the premises.
42) McDonald's -- every one of them and every diner and roadside eatery in between.
43) Horticulture. Roses and marigolds and azaleas and magnolias and all those other beautiful flowers and all the people who help make them bloom.
44) Our volunteer spirit -- from Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys right up to the present day.
45) Those who gave their all. All those who died protecting our freedoms, many buried on foreign soil. And all POWs and MIAs. We shall never forget.
46) A free press. We love them. We hate them. We curse them. We praise them. But where would we be without them?
47) The blues. Sad, sultry, soulful.
48) Andy Warhol. He made the ordinary extraordinary.
49) Starbucks. Keeping us alert and ready.
50) Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey. Still the greatest show on earth!
51) Big Sur and the entire California coast, from top to bottom.
52) Free public libraries. Learn, baby, learn!
53) Our system of higher education -- especially our great public universities.
54) The legacy of Norman Rockwell. The man who showed us the best in ourselves.
55) Texas. Big. Bold. Proud. American.
56) Ferris wheels. From the 1893 Chicago World's Fair till now, still enchanting.
57) The Kentucky Derby. The legendary run for the roses.
58) Mount Rushmore. Our history wrought mammoth.
59) The Smithsonian. Endlessly fascinating and free.
60) NASA. To the moon and beyond.
61) Rush Limbaugh. The inimitable, indestructible Maharushdie.
62) The South. Lush land of tall tales, spirited music, colorful characters and firey history.
63) Hot dogs. Plump, juicy and smothered with your choice of dressings, garnishes, condiments, whatever . .
64) Home sweet home. The house you live it; your land, your property, your domicile.
65) The Great Lakes. Can you name all five of them?
66) Grandma Moses. The modern-day mother or primitive American art.
67) Marilyn Monroe. Defying convention, she made America sexy once and for all.
68) The Mississippi. Mighty from top to bottom and everywhere in between.
69) The Indy 500. Vrrroooomm, vrrrrroooomm!
70) The great wits. From Mark Twain to Will Rogers to Dorothy Parker to Art Buchwald to Erma Bombeck to P. J. O'Rourke.
71) The heartland. From Ohio to Iowa, where ordinary, everyday America thrives.
72) Blue jeans. On the farm, in the city and everywhere else.
73) "God Bless America." The people's anthem that Irving Berlin wrote just for us.
74) Independence Hall. Where it all began.
75) The Lincoln Memorial and the man it celebrates. The ultimate monument to the single most compelling figure in American history.
76) Rock 'n roll (aka rock). Rhythm 'n blues, jazz, honkey talk, soul, gospel -- all rolled into one.
77) The West. Where our restless spirit was born.
78) Sneakers. from PF Flyers, Keds and Chuck Taylor Converse to a $13 billion a year industry, we love 'em.
79) The Drudge Report. Because we need to know.
80) Barbecue. Beef or pork, wet or dry, hot or sweet, it's America.
81) The Washington Monument. The highest point in the capital and a fitting tribute to the father of our country.
82) Alaska and Hawaii. Our exotic and adventurous extremes.
83) Uncle Sam. When he calls, be sure to answer.
84) The Stars and Stripes Forever, and all of those great Sousa marches and their Sousa bands.
85) Native Americans. This land is their land.
86) Chicago architecture. Art that we live in, work in, play in; a living lesson in soaring beauty; a skyline to emulate.
87) Walt Whitman. "I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear . . . "
88) U. S. Olympic athletes. "USA! USA! USA!"
89) Our storytelling tradition and the Great American Novel.
90) New Orleans. A sassy, saucy, scintillating survivor.
91) Rugged individualists, gadflies, iconoclasts, muckrakers and all those who afflict the powerful. Charge onward!
92) Harley Davidson. Still the king of the road.
93) Geeks. Zuckerberg, Jobs, Wozniak, Gates and the whole damned Silicon Valley.
94) Comics and comic books. From zany dimwits and lovable losers to iconic super heroes.
95) Truckers and truck stops. Keep on Rollin!
96) New England. Lobster, chowder, rugged seacoasts and cherished traditions.
97) Scientific pioneers. The searchers, the discoverers, the trailblazers and all those who make the breakthroughs that enrich and lengthen our lives.
98) American fashion. From Ralph and Tommy and Donna and Vera. From Seventh Avenue to the world.
99) Willie Nelson. Is there any one he hasn't sung with or any genre of music he hasn't yet recorded?
100) The American Dream. A better life for our children and our children's children. Always, our best days lie ahead.
Copyright 2011 by Daniel A. Cirucci

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Long May It Wave - Now And Forever!

John Philip Sousa's The Stars And Stripes Forever by the New York Philharmonic, conducted by Leonard Bernstein.

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Romney: United, We Can Build A Bright Future

Though each of us is different, though each of us will choose to walk a different path in life, we are united by one great, overwhelming passion: We love America. We believe in America. 
-Mitt Romney

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Top Ten Reagan Quotes: A Centennial Special

Ronald Reagan said lots of things worth remembering.
But these have often been called the Top Ten Reagan Quotes of all time.
They reflect his humanity, his quick wit, his most deeply held beliefs and his steadfastness. Here they are:

10. "Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first."  
—Remarks at a business conference, Los Angeles, March 2, 1977

9. "You can tell a lot about a fellow's character by his way of eating jellybeans."—The Observer, March 29, 1981

8. “Thomas Jefferson once said, "We should never judge a president by his age, only by his works.' And ever since he told me that, I stopped worrying."  
—Circa 1988

7. "I have left orders to be awakened at any time in case of national emergency, even if I'm in a cabinet meeting." 
—Said often during his presidency, 1981-1989

6. "How do you tell a communist? Well, it's someone who reads Marx and Lenin. And how do you tell an anti-Communist? It's someone who understands Marx and Lenin."  
—Remarks in Arlington, Virginia, September 25, 1987

5. "The government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."  
—Remarks to the White House Conference on Small Business, August 15, 1986

4. “I am not worried about the deficit. It is big enough to take care of itself.” 
—Said often during his presidency, 1981-1989

3. "All great change in America begins at the dinner table." 
—Farewell Address to the Nation, The White House, January 11, 1989

2. "I've noticed that everyone who is for abortion has already been born."  
—The New York Times, September 22, 1980

1. "There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn't mind who gets the credit." 
— First Inaugural Address, January 21, 1981

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Always Remember: The Sacrifice Of Pearl Harbor

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Boys Inspires Loud Defense Of American Flag

Courtesy KOVR:
It wasn't this California boy's usual ride to school yesterday morning!
Hundreds of other bike riders came along---
Many of them veterans, and some from out of state, all wanting to show support to 13-year-old Cody Alicea.
School officials had told Cody he shouldn't ride his American flag-decorated bike to school because some students were offended.
That kicked up a firestorm of protest.
The school superintendent has since apologized, and promised that something like that will not happen again.

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Internet Song Sensation: 'I'm An American'

A message from the songwriter:
Does this song say what you are feeling? I'm a "spare bedroom" guitar player who was inspired to write and produce this song and video. I hope it inspires you. If you like it, please leave a comment, share it with others and pass it along! Send this video and its message around the world and back.
I'm happy to say that the song was featured on Sept 16 in an hour-long segment with Gary Sutton and Jim Horn on News Radio 910 in York PA. They invited me on the air to talk and to take calls. Never done anything like that before! Gary and Jim said it went really well. They and their listeners could not have been nicer. It was awesome!
People have asked - "I'm an American" is available at iTunes and Amazon. The album cover art has the title and says "Play it loud. Play it Proud." Can't miss it!
Thanks for viewing!
By the way, the young guy kneeling on the far right of the first row of the flight crew picture was my own Dad. The photo was taken during B-17 flight training school in 1943.

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