Does 9/11 Make You Proud?

Then why celebrate it with a new "freedom" holiday?

Robert A. George | September 8, 2005

Nearly four years after a horrifying attack on the homeland, the onset of a "different kind of war," missions to implant democracy in totalitarian lands, and a fierce debate over domestic liberties, the question lingers: How does America retain its identity as a beacon of freedom as it defends itself from an extremist culture willing to use that very freedom to dim that beacon?

That question cannot be answered if America's unique identity and history is obscured through an unfortunately misguided attempt to commemorate the day.

Last month, the Pentagon announced plans for the "America Supports You Freedom Walk" to take place September 11, 2005. It is designed "to honor the victims of 9/11 and America's military personnel, as well as to celebrate freedom." The walk begins near where the Pentagon was struck on 9/11, continues through Arlington Cemetery, over the Potomac and concludes by the reflecting pool on the National Mall—where a Clint Black concert will conclude the festivities. Other literature notes that the walk "is free but people must register" for a walk "[passing] several inspiring military memorials."

On the left, the event has produced two somewhat linked criticisms: 1) This is a pro-war stunt designed to play upon the public's grief over 9/11 and desire to show "support for the troops." 2) Press organizations such as The Washington Post and various local media stations are compromising their journalistic independence by sponsoring the event. (On August 15th, the Post pulled its sponsorship.)

The overarching "America Supports You" campaign is itself a worthwhile endeavor—it encourages Americans to show their support for the men and women in the military, demonstrates how Americans are doing that, and posts goodwill wishes to be passed along to the troops.

But this event's direction should give everyone—liberal, conservative, moderate, or other—pause.

America celebrates Independence Day, July 4—the nation's birthday. Beyond the fireworks, barbecues and concerts on the mall, the idea is to commemorate the moment when the values of democratic freedom and individual liberty that the nation has come to represent were first inscribed in print.

America also celebrates Veterans Day, November 11, to honor the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who have worn the uniform of the various services in defense of those ideals at home and abroad. That is a day for reflection.

America also observes Memorial Day on the last Monday in May, specifically honoring the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice protecting this nation and fighting for the ideals first written down on July 4, 1776.

The walk aims to mix the memory of the 9/11 victims with a salute to those currently serving in the military and a "celebration" of freedom—combining three separate sentiments and gestures into an inappropriate spectacle.

Yes, we honor the departed and keep them in our memory. In New York, the sacrifices of the police officers and firefighters who died saving others as the World Trade Center fell down around them will never be forgotten. Nor will the heroism of the ordinary passengers on United Airlines Flight 93.

But the fact remains that this was one of America's darkest days—and not just because of the deaths of over 3,000.

It was a day of failure.

It was a day when misguided policies going back years, if not decades, came home to roost. The right and the left will continue to argue whether the Clinton administration or the Bush administration deserves more of the blame for allowing a relatively small band of operatives to produce more death and devastation on American soil than any outside enemy had ever previously managed.

But there is little disagreement over one essential fact: September 11, 2001, was a day when institutions designed to protect America, particularly the intelligence community, failed.