Justice had been done.
One decade ago, in the wake of tragedy, members of Congress gathered together to sing “God Bless America” on the steps of the U.S. Capitol. On Sunday night, it was throngs of jubilant Americans standing outside the White House, at the former site of the World Trade Center and undoubtedly in other locales across the nation, united in celebration. They sang the national anthem, waved the U.S. flag and celebrated in their own ways the historic news.
If Sept. 11, 2001, was the modern equivalent to Pearl Harbor for the younger generation, then May 1, 2011, became its V-E Day.
Over the years, there were questions about America’s ability to see the task through. Some wondered aloud if the ends justified the means. One look at the elated faces on Sunday night, one listen to the relieved voices of families who lost loved ones to the Sept. 11 attacks, answered those questions in the affirmative.
If ever there was a time to turn and say thank you to the military men and women who have invested so much in the search and the security of the nation over the past decade, Sunday night was that time. Thanks to their persistence, we have achieved a sort of needed closure.
Just like V-E Day was not the end of World War II, Sunday night was not the end of the War on Terror. We did not wake up Monday morning to a world restored to its pre-Sept. 11 tranquility. There is still work to do. There still are enemies of this nation who undoubtedly will stoop to any level in an attempt to damage it and attack its citizens.
Hopefully, those who would entertain such notions were served notice on Sunday. America is still a nation of resolve.
We will finish what we start. Justice will be done.