Go PATRIOT Day!

“Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward. Freedom will be defended!”
- President George W. Bush, September 11, 2001.

Today is about freedom, liberty, self-sacrifice for our Country and overcoming Evil. It is a day about liberty above fear, Country above self, and patriotism above vitriol.

Fly your flags. Wear your patriotic colors. Observe a moment of silence. Pray. Pray for our Country the way we prayed 8 years ago today. Pray for the families who are still hurting with loss. Pray for our Country - who still faces Evil, in similar and different forms. Pray for our values as laid out in the Constitution -- the values that Patriots stand up and defend.

Don't change the meaning of the day. Don't forget the history that defines us as a stronger country and people. Live it with your rights and with all that is truly American.

Mrs. Jones

P.S. I know this makes the Post long, but here is a worthwhile read. It is the text of the Joint Resolution of Congress, designating and conforming September 11 as Patriot Day:

Joint Resolution Amending title 36, United States Code, to designate September 11 as Patriot Day. <>

Whereas on September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four civilian aircraft, crashing two of them into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, and a third into the Pentagon outside Washington, D.C.; Whereas the fourth hijacked aircraft crashed in southwestern Pennsylvania after passengers tried to take control of the aircraft in order to prevent the hijackers from crashing the aircraft into an important symbol of democracy and freedom; Whereas these attacks were by far the deadliest terrorist attacks ever launched against the United States, killing thousands of innocent people; and Whereas in the aftermath of the attacks the people of the United States stood united in providing support for those in need:

Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. DESIGNATION OF SEPTEMBER 11 AS PATRIOT DAY. Chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section:

``Sec. 144. Patriot Day

``(a) Designation.--September 11 is Patriot Day.

``(b) Proclamation.--The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation calling on--
``(1) State and local governments and the people of the United States to observe Patriot Day with appropriate programs and activities;

``(2) all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States and interested organizations and individuals to display the flag of the United States at halfstaff on Patriot Day in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001; and

``(3) the people of the United States to observe a moment of silence on Patriot Day in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001.''. [[Page 115 STAT. 877]] SEC. 2.

CONFORMING AMENDMENT. The table of contents for chapter 1 of title 36, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new item:

``144. Patriot Day.''.

Approved December 18, 2001.

[Note on September 11, 2009: President Obama issued the required Proclamation yesterday, September 10, 2009. I am grateful that he asked us to fly our flags and observe a moment of silence. While I agree with him that service is important and that many choose to remember moments or loved ones through acts of service, I am sadden that his proclamation attempts to rewrite history and change the meaning of this poignant day in our Country's history. I will continue to serve others and donate to charities, much like I did prior to September 11, 2001. Additionally, I will use this day to remember something greater - what a Patriot is and what is America. ]