9/12... a new day has come.

There is no way to address the subject of 9/11 without a broken heart...

Everyone can remember where we were when that indelible day happened.

Like when Neil touched down upon the moon, "This is one small step for a man..."

And when Mr. John F. Kennedy asked us all, "Ask not what your country can do for you..."

And when Mr. Reagan asked Mr. Gorbachev, "Tear down this wall..."

Or when Mr. Lincoln implored that, "Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and under a just God, cannot retain it."

So I am not going to attempt to sugar-coat what we all collectively felt at that moment on September 11th. 

Under attack. A sense of hopelessness. A sense of loss. Are we at war?  A feeling that this could not be happening...

But what they failed to realize is the indomitable spirit of America. 

In honor of those we lost, of the innocence stolen from us all in that moment, I power down in recognition of that which cannot be captured back but in remembrance of the brave women and men that gave their own lives, and in acknowledgment of the unconquerable winds in their souls and our souls, and with a grateful heart, I say thank you. 

Some of us here have veterans in our families. 

I ask here we pause for a moment in their sacrifice...

Keep pausing... please, just a moment longer for what they gave up to all us. 

Some of us personally know firefighters and police officers that have seen horrors that no one should ever witness, and yet in that moment, without consideration to their own lives, they raced into the firey Abyss to save all the lives they could. 

And now some of us are just moving through the motions of life like this was just another tragedy in the day in the Book of Humanity. Just another chalk stroke upon the board that we are supposed to accept, just another brushstroke of what it means to be living in America today. 

Never accept that. 

For it wasn't anything like that nor was it ever meant to be some event to be swept under the rug.

Something was stolen from us that day... but in the atrocities of that Fire of what happened, in the Tragedy of what cannot be captured in words, we must not forget nor dismiss the unbelievably worthy recognition of honor of those of who sacrificed all in that moment of trial.

For America, despite all of our collective challenges, still holds the ground and the proverbial Light of the night, to all and every other country which desires freedom for all denizens, which is really to say to every man, woman and child that there still exists a place on Earth that one can be exactly who they are, no matter what shape, color or orientation that you are, that the "Dream" is still attainable, that we can coexist in peace. 

I hold this hope. 

I have witnessed neighbors who "despise" one another, hurling insults at one another and doing so much worse to each other, and yet when a tragedy hits, be it from Nature or man made, they are the first to race to help one another out. 

Sure, these are just words. But words when accompanied with thoughtful and purposeful action, heartfully expressed with emotion, have the power to turn the tide, as I have seen the celestial power that inherently exists in us all to change the world. 

In my many travels, having vagabonded many times over this mysterious world that we all share in, having lost myself in the mercurial of the Ethereal, I offer up in this moment I still hold fast that while we are still a young species, and despite our so called perceived differences, that one day, like a Phoenix rising, we shall rise above these deep waters and realize that the name of your "God", while different than my personal interpretation, is no less worthy than yours, and it's a long time pass due to accept that truth and that we lay our weapons aside, shields and swords swept to the right, and be it in our hands or in our hearts, to accept one another for who we are, not to judge, to realize that we if are ever to get through this Wilderness, that the only way we're gonna make it to the Other Side is by standing with one another together. 

Tonight the American flag is unfurled, half mast, but She is never conquered. Despite any tempest, She waves indefatigably. We can do this Humanity. It's up to you. Every day, and in every choice you make. 

So glad you're here.