United 93 -- the movie

Joel and I had date night last night -- which consisted of a quick bite to eat and a movie. We decided to see United 93. I had listened to some of the family members of those that died speak about the movie and state their desire for the people to see it. When the movie was in the beginning stages. I was unaware that all the family had been contacted and given their blessing -- I actually thought it was the other way around and that was the only reason I did NOT want to see it...The idea of making money on something that was so tragic...But after I learned differently,(read Article written by Todd Beamers Father) we decided it was time to see it.

Many people say that it is too early for a movie about 9/11. Many say that they already know what happens, why watch it and go thru that again. I would say to those people THAT is WHY you should watch it.

It WAS painful and I WAS nervous. From the very beginning I was antsy --It was definitely one of the harder things I have ever had to watch. There were only 6 of us in the theater (which speaks volumes to me) so it seemed like it was our own private showing. The men and women aboard that flight were amazing. Ya, ya ya, I understand that it is one view of what probably happened -- but amazing still stands. I was devastated by the phone calls. I was paralyzed by their fear. I felt almost empowered by their courage.

I also learned some things about our government and our military and our air flight control and the FAA that anger me. It makes me want to learn more about the breakdown of procedures. I'm hopeful the necessary steps have been taken to change our policy. Our military didn't officially declare United 93 was hijacked until 4 minutes after it had crashed. The closest fighter jets were 100 miles away. Just think about that -- I was an average citizen. I was a 26 year old, stay at home mom to a 1 year old, sitting in Gilbert, Arizona and *I* was hearing about hijacked United flight 93 before it crashed. *I* knew about it -- millions of other Americans knew -- and yet our military didn't acknowledge it or do anything about it.

I guess my point of watching it -- while painful -- is to remember what happened. I know that sounds silly, OF COURSE we all remember --but to actually FEEL the FEAR that I felt back then. Perhaps I wanted to get angry again -- stop feeling so complacent -- and hope for change bigger and faster than we are getting.

I can't help but wonder if we were closer into proximity to 9/11 -- or if we all just saw this movie to zap us back -- would there still be so many people upset about the steps taken to secure our borders? Would Zacarias Moussaoui still have only gotten life in prison or would the United States go back to biblical times "an eye for an eye" and send him to meet his maker? Would our people still be so up in arms about the wiretapping of suspected phone calls between terrorists? If 9/11 happened again, on our soil to our innocent men and women, would people still be so dedicated on their stance against the war? The President?

Oh I don't have those answers -- all I know is that the American people have an uncanny ability to have life "go on" and forget the past. I'm angered that we (myself included) forget the feeling of the devastation and the anger. I am of the thinking that everyone should watch this movie and remember that while we are strong and powerful, we are targets. In the name of religious gods, they are constantly trying to come up with a way to kill us. I'm not talking about killing our men and women who courageously volunteer to make up our military. I'm talking about killing you and me -- a 31 year old, stay at home mom to a 5 and 3 year old in Gilbert, Arizona.

I think we need to remember that.

A million tears fell down, yet my heart swelled up, I honor those men and women and their courage.

I give this movie two thumbs up.