Posted on 09/03/2005 6:59:34 PM PDT by skimmer66
The day after Hurricane Katrina ripped through the gulf coast, my husband sent me pictures of the devastation during and after the storm from Keesler AFB in Biloxi Mississippi. My heart ached as I thought of all those military families stationed at Keesler who were already under the strain of separation from the war. I felt an instant anxiety as if my own family members had suffered. Then I realized that is what many of us feel.
The people in New Orleans, Biloxi, and all those places affected by this storm are our fellow Americans. They are our brothers and our sisters and our hearts ache for them. Many of us have given of our time, resources or even our money to help them. Many more of us wish we knew what more we could possibly do to show our support for those who are struggling. I think Homemakers for America has the answer. And the Homemakers of America can make it happen.
In September 2001 America cried together as our nation was attacked and we watched our fellow American’s suffer horribly. My husband was stationed at the Pentagon on 9-11 and it was a very difficult time for our family. But I never felt alone. I truly felt the love and support of Americans all over the country every time I saw a flag on a car, a home or a lapel. America was truly united in the spirit of brotherhood.
I think that is what we are feeling today. We want to show our support for our brothers and sisters who are suffering but we don’t know how. When we want to show our support for our country we display our flag. When we want to show our support for the troops, we display a yellow ribbon. My flag hangs on our front porch and on the pole is a yellow ribbon. Today, I added another ribbon to the pole. I added a blue ribbon to show my support for all my brothers and sisters who have been affected by this storm.
My ribbon doesn’t just show support for those who have lost homes or loved ones. It also shows support for all those who are selflessly giving of their time, talents and money to help them. But there is so much more to this blue ribbon.
Hurricane Katrina is not the first tragedy to strike our land and it won’t be the last. September has been a very time difficult for American’s in the last few years. In September 2001 over 3000 American’s lost their lives in a brutal attack. In September 2002 the D.C. sniper went on a killing rampage. In September 2003 Hurricane Isabel hit the eastern seaboard. In September, 2004, our brothers and sisters in Florida were hit by Hurricane Frances just three weeks after Hurricane Charley left its mark on the state. And now in September of 2005, members of our American family are suffering again.
I know the gas prices are a great concern. I feel the pain of it as well. But you know what? I have a home. My family is safe and my baby has fresh diapers. I don’t have to worry about where to take a shower, where my next meal is coming from or whether or not I will have clean water to drink. But this what many of my fellow American’s are facing today. My fellow American’s have selflessly given their lives to save others in burning towers in New York and at the Pentagon. My fellow American’s sacrificed their own lives to bring down a plane in a Pennsylvania field. My fellow American’s took sabbaticals from work to help family, friends, and even complete strangers dig out from under the devastation of four major hurricanes. My fellow Americans are magnificent creatures.
Today, my blue ribbon honors all of them- those who have died, those who have lost, those who have selflessly given, and those have given all. And I would like to ask all my fellow American’s to tie a blue ribbon on your flag pole, your porch, the tree in your front yard or your lapel to show your support for our brothers and sisters who are suffering and for those courageous American’s helping them out. Keep the ribbon up all month long. And let’s make September the month to celebrate the brotherhood of the American people. Every September we will come together to honor our fellow American’s and share the spirit of brotherhood. And each time any of our fellow American’s are faced with tragedy or suffering, we will raise our banner of brotherhood and solidarity and display our bright blue ribbons.
So, hang your flags. Tie your ribbons. Share a ribbon with your friends, neighbors and co-workers. Share the message of brotherhood and the spirit of compassion with your fellow Americans. And as our blue ribbons appear on homes, cars and neighborhoods across America, we will show our brothers and sisters in New Orleans, Biloxi, and all those areas hit by this horrible storm that our thoughts, our hearts and our prayers are with them. No matter what tragedy strikes our nation, we will make it through together, as fellow Americans. The Blue Ribbon will symbolize this brotherhood and project our hope. For through us, and our American spirit of brotherhood, there will always be the hope of brighter and better days!
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