Jellico's Fourth 9/11 Candlelight Memorial
September 11, 2005
Jellico's Fourth 9/11 Candlelight Memorial
September 11, 2005
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On Sunday Sept. 11, 2005 Jellico held it's fourth September 11 candlelight memorial service in Veteran's Park.
Once again, Rev. Stephen Meeks gave a moving and inspiring talk and it is reprinted in it's entirety here: September 11th Memorial Speech-Jellico, Tennessee
by
Stephen Meeks
Presented September 11, 2005
Four years ago this morning a plume of ash rose from New York City's heart. Now, four years later, the field has been cleared and memorials rise in place of our beautiful towers. The nation reeled-first in disbelief, then under the weight of reality. There is no getting around the fact that we collectively staggered that day. It was, as one song writer put it, "A sucker punch we didn't see coming." We might even say that, for a moment, we went to the canvas. Those who hated us landed a solid lick; it hurt, but it did not injure. America-- her mixed masses, ethnic diversity, religious differences, moral dilemmas; Rich and Poor, Republican and Democrat, Straight and Gay, Men and Women, Black and White-- stood up, squared her shoulders, set her jaw, and took on a fight it had not asked for, but resolved to finish. I could continue for hours itemizing the extensive list of events which have taken place since our enemy landed that blow: from rescue, to recovery, to return to normalcy; from global negotiating, to armed conflict, to free elections; from economic chaos, to stability, to growth; from firemen in the stairwell, to soldiers on the ground, to citizens again celebrating New Year's in New York City we have seen that great force we call "The American Spirit" pick herself up off the mat and come back strong.
Listen to the powerful Preamble to our Constitution:
We the people-- in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity-- do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. This is why I love being an American. I love its noble resolves and intents. I love what rises within me when I consider the greatness of my country. I embrace the tingle, the tears, the overwhelming pride that swells wildly when I watch our guys and girls receive Olympic medals. I tremble at the playing of our anthem, the raising or our flag, the mention of our name when the world watches. I beam at the stories of G.I.s and Marines handing out candy to children on enemy soil, at word of common citizens rushing terrorist in hi-jacked cockpits, at a nation rushing to the aid of its own when weather crashes her shores and steels life, dreams and hope. I love this place and its peoples. I'm proud to be an American where I know I am free! Where independence is embraced, not as an unrealizable ideal, but as hard fact, there is generosity. As John Jay wrote July 18, 1783, "God forbid that we should ever sacrifice our Faith, our gratitude, or our honor to any consideration of convenience; and may He also forbid that we should ever be unmindful of the dignity and independent spirit which should always characterize a free and generous people." So, we, two hundred twelve years later, preside as guardians of this independent spirit and the generosity inherently characteristic of a free people. America's history is not sprinkled with this generosity; indeed, far beyond it. Our generosity is the text and standard of generosity for history. Relief for Tsunami victims, Democracy for Iraq, Freedom in Afghanistan, Aid for Africa, Convoys of supplies for the Gulf Coast are but current examples of our long practice of compassion and concern for those in need-- whether they be neighbor or distant enemy. America is a great nation. There is no other like it. She is beautiful. Today, we remember and honor those brave ones who on and since September 11th have sacrificed, labored, served and died under the banner of "America the Beautiful". We stand respectfully silent in gratitude for their priceless offerings. We stand united behind the common good and the will for a long and prosperous future for which they gave their best. September 11th now has us standing in memory of our losses, in awareness of our enemies, and, whether acknowledged or not, in the presence of our Creator. Benjamin Rush wrote, "History shows us that nations as well as individuals are strong only so long as they have faith in God. When they lose that faith they start on a downward path." Samuel Adams, signer of the Declaration of Independence, expressed similar insight, "…a general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy." As we reflect tonight on America's comeback from the ashes and to pause to honor our fallen, does it not much more behoove us to remember Him who sustains us daily? I think William Bradford put it best, in his accounting of the Pilgrim's voyage and Plymouth Rock landing, writing, "Being thus…brought safe to land, they fell upon their knees and blessed the God of heaven who had brought them over the vast and furious ocean…again to set their feet on the firm and stable earth, their proper element." For us, this is our proper element. This "land of the Pilgrim's pride", this nation, this home-sweet-home is our proper element. Let us fall upon our knees and bless the God of heaven who has brought us this far. Should we not hang our heads in shame that we have bared Him from our institutions, that we have turned from His glory to wallow in the muck and mire of depravity, that we have profaned His name, that we have rejected the very tenets of nature which declare His worth and glory? As great as we stand, we stand to fall. Not from the external enemy, but from the subtle one within. Thomas Paine warned us saying, "The domestic tranquility of a nation depends greatly on the chastity of what might be called National Manners." John Adams wrote, "…(This) form of government…is productive of every thing which is great and excellent among men. But its principles are as easily destroyed, as human nature is corrupted." In his second inaugural address Thomas Jefferson declared, "I need the favor of that Being in whose hands we are, who led our fathers, as Israel of old, from their native land and planted them in a country flowing with all the necessities and comforts of life." America remains, for now, a great nation-strong, resilient, generous, dominant, but we have lost our grip on being a holy nation and begun decent on Benjamin Rush's "downward path". President George Bush has declared Friday, September 16th as a National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the victims of the terrorist attacks. I propose we embrace that request and pray that prayer. In the same spirit, I propose that we go a step further in our praying. I propose that we confess our Nation's sins; taking time to humbly enumerate them before the Throne of grace and mercy. I believe such prayer will not only provide healing for our great land, but secure benefit for our posterity and set a course for that high ground which has made America so great! As candles light our night, so a Heavenly Light has illuminated our past. As every tree has its root, so America's roots have origins. From where does she find the will to serve, sacrifice, give and love if not from the Divine Source? For the next two hundred years, for America to remain great, she will have to remain in that Vine. If she will be strong, she will have to first become humble. If she aspires to be a blessing, she will have to seek the Blessed One with a new passion, a new spirit, a fresh hunger and thirst. If she will do this, then she will see even greater things than these we have witnessed to this point. She will see Isaiah's image live in her where God bestows "a crown of beauty instead of ashes." (Isaiah 61:3) May God bless America.
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