"Has it really been ten years?" was the first thought in my mind this morning. "How much has changed in the last ten years?" was the next. Today is September 11th, 2011 and the anniversary of one of the greatest tragedies the modern world has ever known. Ten years ago, in the greatest city the modern world has ever known, the beginning of a terrible catastrophe began to unfold early in the New York morning work hours. For on that memorable day, September 11th, 2001, two hijacked planes crashed into two miraculous towers and all the world shook as the behemoth of metal and modern engineering crumbled to the ground.
We at Wickles would like to send our condolences to all the people who lost loved ones at Ground Zero, The Pentagon, in Pennsylvania; to all the soldiers and their families as well who have taken their call of duty in the aftermath and also to all Americans who can never forget that day! The older generations often talked about where they were when the news of Pearl Harbor, JFK, or the Space Shuttle Disaster came to them. On that fateful September day, we all immediately knew what that kind of experience truly meant. I myself worked for Birmingham Budweiser at the time and was rolling some cases of beer into a convenience store when the first plane hit its target. By the time the second one struck, the daze of confusion, anger and sadness had engulfed the streets of that bustling southern city. Very little work from what I can remember happened the rest of the day but one image will always stand out. The last stop of the day was to a smaller store in a rather shady part of Eastern Birmingham that had always made me a little uncomfortable because of the crime ridden area. But, there was no fear that day as we stopped the delivery truck, just a little Korean store owner and his tears. His broken English and tearful words will always resonate, "Things just will never be the same." So true.
Even if you were not directly affected by the terrorism that day, all Americans have felt some sort of loss due to the tragedy. Some of the best, brightest and bravest Americans perished because of the work of madmen. Can you only imagine what some of these murderers could accomplish in life if they used their time, resources and talents for good instead of destruction? Nevertheless, innocent people unfairly paid the price and any innocence of the American Spirit was shattered that day to only heaps of rubble. From that rubble in ten years arose wars, a slowing economy, political division in this country not seen since The Civil War, and a sense of dread and mistrust in all things government that has infected most Americans from coast to coast. It's easy to see that these symptoms have crept into America since September 11th like a thief who has crept into a house in the darkness of night. But one thing is certain, the complete unraveling of The United States of America has not occurred and terrorist be warned, unlike our once great towers, this country still stands tall! These symptoms may plague us for more years to come, but they are treatable. We were great once before the awful acts of 9/11/01 and we will be great again!
"What has changed in ten years?" you ask. "Everything" is the easy answer, nothing is the correct one! Americans still vote the same way they did in elections 200 years ago, the US Constitution still breathes its refreshing air of freedom everyday, people still get up, put their shoes on and go to work, and The American Dream, although dented, still prevails! Ten years ago, Wickles went from a secret family recipe to a business that only a real spirit of American entrepreneurship and vision could develop. We here may sell X amount of jars a year but just like ten years ago, our proud customers eat those tasty sweet slices one by one. Only in America, and that is something our enemies wherever they may be will never have, understand, or take from us! And that is why they will never win! God Bless America today and we at Wickles are truly proud to be here with you today on September 11th, 2011!
