Pride

On the anniversary of September 11, I am reminded how those awful events brought our country together. Unfortunately, since then, our country seems to be more divided than ever. Partisan politics, unconstructive criticism and ridicule of differing thoughts pervade our country. It often makes me sad to see how divisive we have become, how angry.

On my way into town today, I saw a horrible car accident that must have just occurred on the side of the road. A car was flipped upside down, smashed and crunched, with the passengers still inside. There were probably 15 people, random strangers, who had stopped to help and provide aid until police, ambulance and fire trucks arrived. One man dressed in a business suit was standing in the middle of the busy road in 90-degree heat directing traffic around the accident. Another had parked his truck in such a way as to protect that man and the accident site from being hit by an oncoming car. Several men and women of all shapes, colors and sizes were kneeling down in the dirt at the side of the car, speaking to the trapped people inside, trying to help, comfort and ease fear. I have no idea how injured the passengers in that car were, but I do know that the entire scene brought a tear to my eye. It reminded me how the people of this country, regardless of political, religious or other beliefs, band around each other in time of need. It reminded me that Americans are a compassionate, empathetic, eager to help people that rose to the occasion seven years ago amidst national disaster as they did today, amidst personal tragedy, on the side of the road in Austin, Texas. This is what our country is about. This is why I am proud to be an American.