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Sports Talk — by Nic
Previously featured on
the front page of Clandestiny
..
In
2001, Nic departed from his regular sports column in the Casey County
News to reflect on current events:
It has been two weeks ago yesterday when the world witnessed the most
terrible terrorist attack on the greatest nation ever. One that will forever
haunt not only the American people, but peoples everywhere.
Just like the rest of the American sports world last week, I too will
take a break from my regular column to share my own personal thoughts
about the tragedy that has befallen us. For me, it was unbelievable and
still gives me an awful sense of dread. I was sitting in my second block
class when the televisions were turned on to show two burning skyscrapers.
For the rest of my life, I will remember where I was and what I was doing.
Like myself, the rest of the class and everyone in school was awestruck
and in disbelief. Forever will that day live in our memories.
Now our nation is recuperating from our tragedy with mixed feelings of
sadness, anger, fear, and patriotism. The rubble is still being removed
and the losses tallied, but we, as a nation, cannot let this hold us back
from being the great nation that we are. It is obvious that whatever message
of terror the terrorist had planned to send was not received. Instead,
a nation once caught up in its squabbles of race, religion, and financial
status has bonded together. Black or white, Jew or Christian, wealthy
or poor. No longer does it matter. This attempt of terror to kill the
American spirit has only made it stronger and much more powerful.
It once took a great tragedy before the American public bonded together
to drive the greatest nation to win one of the most notorious wars of
the 20th century, World War II. That generation of Americans became known
as "The Greatest Generation." Why? Because in the country's
greatest hour of need, personal disputes were set aside and rivals became
allies.
Now, it is that time again. Time when all must join hands in support of
the freedoms of our country. Time to stand firm and never allow ourselves
to buckle to the will of those who use murder and terror as a weapon.
It is time for the next "Greatest Generation" to arise. Last
time it arose from the waters of Pearl Harbor. This time it will arise
from the ruins of the Twin Towers.
Think about
this the next time you fly our Nation's colors. Think about it when you
hear the Star-Spangled Banner at the next sporting event you attend. Think
about "...o'er the land of the free..." and what it means to
you. How do the butterflies feel in your stomach when you hear "America
The Beautiful" or "Proud to be an American?" Doesn't it
spark that patriotic feeling that you can get nowhere else? Doesn't it
draw that tear from your eye? Think about this, and I really mean think
about all of this. We have not been weakened, but strengthened as our
entire nation moves forward to show that tyranny and terror will never
control the Red, White, and Blue. That the American dream— life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness —will live on. That this one
nation under God is now, and every shall be, indivisible. I leave you
now with a request: To pray for all the victims of this tragedy. Pray
for those who have lost and those who are lost. Pray for those in charge
of our country to do what is right. But most importantly, pray for the
protection and safety of our country, the United States.
God Bless America!
Nic Dixon
