9/11: A Call to Service
September 11, 2001, fundamentally changed the world. Those who remember can recall exactly where they were and what they were doing. America had not faced such a daring attack on her homeland since Pearl Harbor in 1941. Nearly 3,000 Americans lost their lives with thousands injured suffering long-term health effects, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Rather than focus on the negatives of 9/11, I’d like to reflect on the positive responses. Following the tragic attacks, 181,510 Americans entered active-duty service and 72,908 enlisted in the reserves.
This leads me to a call to service. President John F. Kennedy famously said, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” In considering President Kennedy’s words, it is interesting, according to the Department of Defense (DOD), 77% of military-aged Americans are unqualified to enter military service. As such, this call to service is not strictly military service, but all types of service to fellow Americans and humanity.
This service can be accomplished by joining the Peace Corps or American Red Cross as well as international organizations functioning in local communities such as Rotary International. Moreover, you can volunteer at your local faith-based organization, food bank or animal shelter. These organizations need treasure, but equally as important, they need time and talent. Further, the youth of our community can consider the Civil Air Patrol (CAP). As an Air Force civilian auxiliary, they are active in disaster relief operations through non-combat air operations. Youth from 12-18 years of age can join their cadet program and learn about aviation, military, and develop leadership skills while serving their community.
The 9/11 attacks were personal and life changing for Americans. I watched the carnage unfold on TV in my college dorm room. At the time, I was young and ambitious. My plan was to graduate with a computer science degree and find a career in Silicon Valley. However, 9/11 was a call to serve, nothing else mattered. After visiting with military recruiters, I joined the Air Force as a geospatial intelligence analyst working with the RQ/MQ-1 Predator, a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA). Eventually, I advanced to the human intelligence field with the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
With hard work, networking, and luck, I finally received orders to deploy as a weapons intelligence analyst attached to an Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit in Taji, Iraq with the difficult mission of defeating Improved Explosive Devices (IEDs). My dream was realized. I was in Iraq on multiple deployments from 2006-2009 earning the Air Force Combat Action Medal and Army Combat Action Badge.
Why do I mention my service? Because it is personal, but only one of millions of stories of Americans called to serve following 9/11. It is within the American spirit that we seek to help others during challenging times. This is true whether as a first responder, meals on wheels driver or a chaplain who prays over the dying.
We, as Americans, lead the world in the call to service. Charities Aid Foundation, an international based independent charity in the U.K., produces an annual report called the World Giving Index that ranks countries in the world across three measures: helping a stranger, donating money, and volunteering. The US ranks #1 in the world while notably, China ranks #126, last of countries included in the study. The next time someone questions the role or kindness of Americans, know that we are hard driving, but incredibly generous.
Twenty-three years have passed since 9/11. We should all remember the victims that perished that day and how our nation responded to the call to service. As for younger Americans, do not wait for a tragedy to serve your country and community. The time to act is now as we all exist to serve others. Making positive changes in our country starts by helping your neighbor and local community. Remember September 11th, 2024, as YOUR call to service.