By Ray Cardello for September 12, 2023, Season 21 / Post 49

Maybe I was raised differently than Joe Biden. He is not much older than me, but I am definitely not as jaded and untouched as Joe Biden is about particular days of remembrance or the sad sight of a flag-draped coffin. I was taught from a young age to love our flag and country and respect and hold reverence for those who died to allow us the fruits of our great land. I am as touched by the sight of the American flag on the grave of my girlfriend’s brother as I was when I saw the never-ending fields of white stones at Arlington National Cemetery. I was a young boy, but I still recall the feelings I had watching the slow, steady march of the sentry as he passed the tomb of the unknown soldier. I was young, but I was taught to understand. I still look at the flag given to me at my Dad’s memorial service. I am proud that my Dad was a member of the Greatest Generation. Sadly, our Commander in Chief was never exposed to these lessons.

I will never forget the sight of Joe Biden checking his watch as the remains of the thirteen fallen heroes killed during the botched Afghanistan withdrawal were removed from the plane and returned to the land they loved and swore to die for. I thought that was as low as our President could fall, but I was wrong. On this anniversary day in 2023, Joe Biden is the first President not to visit one of the sites attacked by terrorists on 9/11. On the day that all Americans vowed never to forget, Joe Biden has forgotten. I never imagined witnessing a President with so little respect for our country and all Americans. Joe Biden continues to lower the bar. When asked in Hanoi on Sunday why he was not going to pay his respects to those we lost on 9/11, he responded that Presidents do not go to Hawaii on December 7, so he sees no need to take a day out of his busy schedule to remember lost American lives.

I watched the coverage of the ceremonies of 9/11. I watch these ceremonies every year. As the names are read, and people are tracing the engraved names of loved ones on the stone memorial, I am reminded that each of these names was a person. It only takes seconds to read each name, but their memory will last forever. They were innocent people who got up and went about their normal routine on that beautiful fall day not realizing they would become a name on a list or memorialized on a memorial shrine. I am angry and saddened that for our President, that is what he has reduced them to. I capitalize the P in President out of respect for the office. I cannot muster any respect for the shallow man who holds that position today. May God give us the power and wisdom to ensure he does not on January 20, 2025.