Remembering 9-11-------15 Years Later! Don DeForge, VMD--------Silver Sands Veterinary Center

Donald H DeForge, VMD Silver Sands Veterinary Center

17 Seemans Lane, Milford, CT 06460

Remembering 9-11

15 Years Later

What we learned on September 11 is that the unthinkable is now thinkable in the world.
– John Ashcroft

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List of “Don’t Forgets” and “Remembers”

Before September 11th, we would wake up with a list of “Don’t Forgets”

Don’t forget to wash your face
Don’t forget to brush your teeth
Don’t forget to do your homework
Don’t forget to wear your jacket
Don’t forget to clean your room
Don’t forget to take a bath

After September 11th, we wake up with a list of “Remembers”
Remember to greet the sun each morning
Remember to enjoy every meal
Remember to thank your parents for their hard work
Remember to honor those who keep you safe
Remember to value each person you meet
Remember to respect other’s beliefs

I cannot believe that 15 years have passed since September 11th, 2001.  We came together as a country and as a people for the first 3 months after 9-11.  Then we went back to the normal--forgetting our neighbor-not noticing sunrises and sunsets-not thanking others for their hard work--back to forgetting our servicemen and women who are protecting our country--ignorning our veterans who come home to a lack of work-physical and emotional problems-and no place to live.  We returned to the typical "valueless society" than enjoys hurting rather than helping.  We revel in bullyism and cyberterror and enjoy humiliating our co-workers for our own benefit.  Personal possessions and wealth accumulation have become more important than all else.  We drive with disrespect; we slam doors in people's faces; and we teach "the valueless society goals" to our children.

When did you last  pass a veteran of WWII/Korea/Viet Nam/Iraq/Afghanistan and said to them--------- when you saw their veteran cap..."thank you for serving our country!"  What a special way to acknowledge their pain from friends lost in battle.....and what a simple statement that shows appreciation to them for risk of injury or loss of life while serving our country!  When did you last thank an active armed forces servicemen/women for volunteering to protect our country and its citizens?

When did you last ask a senior citizen if you could mow their lawn or shovel snow from their walkway?

When did you last volunteer to assist those at a homeless shelter with a food donation or 

in food preparation?

When did you last kiss your child goodnight and say that you love them?

When did you last thank a fireman; policeman; or first responder for helping in a local emergency?

When did you last tell your lover, your partner, or your spouse......... that you not only love them......... but you want to go where they want to go; do what they want to do; and place yourself second for a change?

When did you last stop to see a sunrise or a sunset?  

Make this 9-11 different.  Return to the 30 days post September 11th, 2001 when people changed....................caring, respecting, and helpng were key ways of life and not just words.

Many tell me we cannot change....we are a society of me, myself, and I.  To these people, I say you may be right......but there is one point you have missed-YOU CAN CHANGE!

Raise a flag on your house or in your yard on 9-11!  Always stand tall when the Naiontal Anthem is being played.  As our servicemen salute the flag, we should place our hand across our chest onto our heart and show our strength and our belief in America.....the greatest country in the World......with the greatest freedoms.......and the greatest opporunities.....God Bless America!

Dr.. DeForge welcomes comments to his blogs. E-Mail him at DonDeForge100@gmail.com