OKLAHOMA STATE SENATE / From the desk of Sen. Jessica Garvin
Monday marked the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, a solemn and devastating day for our nation, and the world, when nearly 3,000 American lives were tragically lost to terrorism. Those of us who were old enough to recognize the gravity of the situation that day were forever changed. Today, 9/11 is recognized as Patriot Day because after the attacks Americans banded together like never before Neighbors helped neighbors. American flags and patriotic ribbons were proudly displayed.
More men and women joined the U.S. military that next year than ever before or since that time. Iconic songs like Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue” and Alan Jackson’s “When the World Stopped” were written about the cowardice of the attacks but also as a message to the world that we would not be intimidated or silenced.
Two decades later, our country and people are hurting. We’re more divided than ever, and that strong patriotism seems all but gone in many areas around the country.
A report last month shared that our military is shrinking at an alarming rate as today’s youth simply don’t have the propensity to join that our parents and grandparents had. The Army and Air Force together are expecting a 20,000-person shortfall this year while the Navy expects to be 6,000 below their goal. This, along with a lack of patriotism in our country, is extremely dangerous as our enemies, like Russia and China, continually antagonize us and appear to just be waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike us.
As Americans, we must never forget what happened on 9/11 or let that strong spirit of patriotism die. We must teach our children the importance of patriotism and knowing our history, lest we let it repeat itself.
Our prayers and hearts are with those families who lost loved ones that fateful day and the weeks and months following. We remember the innocent bystanders who simply got on a plane or went to work; the first responders and law enforcement who lost their lives trying to save their fellow Americans; and the many military patriots who bravely fought on behalf of those victims and to stop terrorism.
Hopefully, we can come together again as ‘one Nation under God’ and once again, in the words of the late President Reagan, be the “shining city upon a hill whose beacon light guides freedom-loving people everywhere.”
In closing, I want to congratulate the town of Goldsby for recently being awarded two state grants from the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission for the David Jay Perry Airport. These projects will involve constructing two sets of T-hangars and reconstructing the taxi lane. These important projects will help further grow this public-use airport to the benefit of local businesses, the county, and our growing aviation industry.
If you have any questions or concerns on legislative matters, please contact me at the Capitol. Please write to Senator Jessica Garvin, State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room 237, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105, email me at [email protected] or call 405-521-5522.
