From State Auditor Dave Yost...
Let Us Always Remember
September 11, 2011 

A famous Washington Post columnist wrote this week that – once we have remembered September 11 this week – it is time to put the day behind us.   The timing was disrespectful, but his thesis is foolish. 

America is not weaker as a result of 9-11.  If we are weaker than we once were, it has more to do with squandered treasure and poorly chosen military adventures.  We can regain our strength and still solemnly remember the day the towers fell, and how, and why. 

These remembrances are painful.  Yesterday’s brief tribute by the OSU marching band brought tears to my eyes as it all came flooding back. 

But pain is a useful survival skill.  Pain warns us of harm to our physical bodies.  Psychological pain can warn us of dangerous behavior. 

The memory of pain reminds us to avoid repeating a situation that caused the pain the first place – the memory of a burn from a hot stove teaches us to be careful indeed around hot stoves. 

The stove is still hot.  Our enemies have not abandoned the fight, but have redoubled their efforts. 

Prior to 2001, despite numerous warnings, most of America believed we could not be harmed.  We were self-absorbed and unvigilant and unserious about the danger of the world around us. 

Alas, the memory of the pain has already faded for some.  A deliberate effort to put it out of mind is madness.  Let us honor our dead, remember our pain – and gird for the battle that has not ended. 

Read it at his Blog