September 10, 2001, was just another day for many Americans. People went to work, made plans, walked their dogs, and tucked their children in for the night, completely unaware that they were on the brink of a significant change in their world.
On the anniversary of 9/11, Glenn Beck, co-founder of Blaze Media, is reflecting on the bravery and sacrifices that arose following the attacks, and he emphasizes the appreciation Americans should have for each ordinary morning they experience.
“Can you imagine? When the bridges and tunnels were closed, half a million people found themselves stranded in lower Manhattan. Half a million, with the sky ablaze behind them, filled with dust and ash,” Glenn reminisces.
“The Coast Guard called for every available boat. Tugboats, ferries, dinner cruises, fishing charters—anything that could help,” he continues.
After the 9/11 attack, these boats played a crucial role in evacuating those stranded, transporting half a million people off the island.
“It was the largest—still the largest—sea evacuation in history. Bigger than Dunkirk,” he states.
Despite this, Glenn notes that many Americans have seemingly forgotten the sacrifices made by individuals who cared deeply for their country and fellow citizens.
“For 25 years, we’ve been telling everyone that this country is wicked and rotten. It was rotten from the beginning. That everything it gave us was stolen and that it should be dismantled or destroyed,” he remarks.
Yet this “wicked” country continues to provide for its people each morning.
“It’s a place for which people risk their lives to get here. It still loves a generation that’s never expressed gratitude and might even feel embarrassed to say thank you, America,” he adds.
It’s not just foreigners attempting to come to the U.S.; they do so because they recognize that an ordinary America, which may often overlook its own blessings, is, in fact, extraordinary.
“We’re immersed in the mundane,” Glenn acknowledges. “A different type of ordinary, but still ordinary today. And right now, somewhere in this country, a day is emerging that will change our lives entirely. That day isn’t marked on any calendar.”
“Nobody knows when it will happen. What we’ll recall about today—this Thursday, this seemingly insignificant day—will be what we always remember,” he reflects, pointing out that we won’t remember “the debates” or “the elections.”
Instead, we’ll hold onto memories of moments “in the kitchen, with the dog, or feeling someone’s hand on the back of your neck.”
“I remember September 10, 2001. It was the last day of normalcy for me, the America I recognized. And in just one day, everything changed,” he shares.
“It’s strange to refer to our current reality as ordinary, but it is. This is just the new normal,” he continues. “And I thank God we experienced another September 10.”
