I don't know if you've seen that picture going around. The one with the caption that says: “We were just kids on 9/11. We're not kids anymore”. It has a picture on top of either the twin towers or a small child waving a little American flag. On the bottom, there's a picture of a young soldier.
It gives me chills every time I see it.
I went active in the military almost 6 months ago, and though I've never considered myself overly patriotic, I've always been at least grateful for the freedoms afforded to me by my country. I've found, however, that the longer I'm in the service, the more patriotically-inclined I am.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that the September 11th attacks have shaped an entire generation – MY entire generation. 9/11 was our Pearl Harbor, our history-book call to arms. Every single person I’ve served with so far has been at least marginally influenced by the events of that single morning fifteen years ago.
While every day in the military is a hard day, I have never been prouder to tell people what I do. I've been a sales associate, an administrative assistant, a medical receptionist, a lawyer’s file clerk, a med tech, and a massage therapist, but I've never considered what I do to be part of who I am. The military has changed that. People ask what I do and I say, “I'm in the Air Force” or “I'm a member of the armed forces” or “I'm in the military”, and I feel proud to be able to say those things.
It's the oddest phenomenon. With every recitation of our creed, with every salute to the American flag, I feel more like my country is part of me than I ever have before. Some might call it indoctrination, but I really don't think that's it.
The day before I left for basic training, I was mocking the AF song in my recruiter's office. He agreed that it was one of the more ridiculous things I'd be required to memorize. Then I made fun of the Airman's Creed, and he stopped me. He said that the creed actually held some meaning, and that I would see what he was talking about eventually. All throughout BMT, we said that creed at least once every morning, often a few times throughout the day, and it felt absurd every single time. Finally, after 8 weeks of PT-ing and studying and following orders while struggling through utter exhaustion and endless marching and horrible food and being shouted at 24/7, I received my Airman's coin, and performed a facing movement with the rest of my flight formation. We all recited the Airman's Creed in unison - shouted it really - and I suddenly knew exactly what my recruiter had been talking about. It meant something. The hardships of military life had only just begun, but I had made it through Basic, and that was a lot farther than a lot of other people had gone. Not only had I accomplished every task set to me, I had done it well.
And with every day since then, I've felt as though my sense of purpose has grown.
So on this 9/11, not only the 15th anniversary of the attacks, but my first September in the military, I am feeling particularly patriotic. It almost seems like my entire life was just leading up to this.
I am an American Airman. I am a warrior. I have answered my Nation's call.
I am an American Airman. My mission is to fly, fight, and win. I am faithful to a proud heritage, a tradition of honor, and a legacy of valor.
I am an American Airman, guardian of freedom and justice, my nation's sword and shield, its sentry and avenger. I defend my country with my life.
I am an American Airman: wingman, leader, warrior! I will never leave an Airman behind, I will never falter, and I WILL NOT FAIL.
tangentwithtanner
origamiaround
yousharknotpass
baratheonpilled
janainaart
romaincrisis
kaledo-art
