A Blessed Opportunity

David Beamer, father of United 93 passenger Todd Beamer, writes an eloquent piece today in the Wall Street Journal about the new movie United 93. His piece includes these words:

The passengers and crew of United 93 had the blessed opportunity to understand the nature of the attack and to launch a counterattack against the enemy. This was our first successful counterattack in our homeland in this new global war--World War III.

This film further reminds us of the nature of the enemy we face. An enemy who will stop at nothing to achieve world domination and force a life devoid of freedom upon all. Their methods are inhumane and their targets are the innocent and unsuspecting. We call this conflict the "War on Terror." This film is a wake-up call. And although we abhor terrorism as a tactic, we are at war with a real enemy and it is personal.

There are those who would hope to escape the pain of war. Can't we just live and let live and pretend every thing is OK? Let's discuss, negotiate, reason together. The film accurately shows an enemy who will stop at nothing in a quest for control. This enemy does not seek our resources, our land or our materials, but rather to alter our very way of life.

I encourage my fellow Americans and free people everywhere to see "United 93."

Be reminded of our very real enemy. Be inspired by a true story of heroic actions taken by ordinary people with victorious consequences. Be thankful for each precious day of life with a loved one and make the most of it. Resolve to take the right action in the situations of life, whatever they may be. Resolve to give thanks and support to those men, women, leaders and commanders who to this day (1,687 days since Sept. 11, 2001) continue the counterattacks on our enemy and in so doing keep us safe and our freedoms intact.

"Blessed opportunity" is an interesting way to describe the situation in which the passengers of United 93 found themselves. While the passengers on the other three planes went to their deaths unaware of what was really going on, the folks on United 93 knew the war had started, and decided to fight back. They were aware that doing nothing would result in their deaths, and so with no real downside to taking aggressive action, they fought back.

I hope the film does well. There are certainly lots of people in this country that need to see it, and be reminded of what the war is all about.