Written By Kami Wanous

*Note: I originally wrote this article in 2019. I think it bears revisiting and have included a 2022 update at the end.

There is something about America that runs deep within Americans. For those born here or raised here, it is a special place. I'm sure a lot of people feel that way about their countries, but I have heard it's just different for us. Maybe it's because we are founded upon a long history of regular citizens, not royalty, but of a wide range of people who all united in sacrifice and service to create something special, based on principles, that would outlast any comparative civilization in history. Men like Don Long and the events after the attack on 9/11 are symbols of this American service, sacrifice and unity. That American philosophy unites us all and runs deep in our souls. We might get distracted and lose sight, but when crisis hits, it always shows you who you really are. History has shown Americans to be strong, united, loyal, service-oriented and resilient. When the next crisis hits, will it be the same?

Don Long, Pearl Harbor Survivor takes a WWII plane ride at our local air show.

Just before 9/11 this year, we attended a local air show at a small airport. By serendipity, as we were walking around checking out the various planes, helicopters and emergency vehicles (which Kenyon loved of course, his favorite being the Vietnam War helicopter with the M60 attached!) My husband called us quickly over to the farthest plane on the tarmac, an old WWII trainer. He said, "I think that man they're trying to get into that plane is a WWII vet and he used to fly those planes." I immediately burst into tears at the thought of such a momentous occasion for such a national treasure.

Don Long, Pearl Harbor Survivor, boards the WWII plane.

Turns out he was right. We didn't know until after he was in the air, but his name is Don Long, a local resident, 98 years old, and not only a WWII vet, but a Pearl Harbor survivor. He was a radioman on aircraft on December 7, 1941 when the plane he was sitting in on the water was shot and sank. Watch his recap of his amazing experience here. He came to the show by himself just to walk around, walker in hand. When the owner and pilot of this plane found out who he was and offered him a special ride, he excitedly replied, "Hot Diggity Dog!" with a little fist thrust. Thus began something I wonder if he'd had on his bucket list. He said after that it qualified as his 98th birthday present.

Don Long's WWII Pearl Harbor Survivor jacket.

There were only maybe 30 people who stumbled upon this spontaneous scene at the right moment, but everyone had cameras out and tears running down our faces. We were all united in that moment. I still have chills and get teary just thinking about it. Jovial and quick, everyone there fell in love with him and wanted to adopt him into their family. After he gave all the kids high fives and we thanked him for his service, my sister and I, through our tears, told him that our grandparents were teenagers living in Chinatown in Honolulu that day and remembered it well. He said he was always really loved meeting people with that similar connection. What a symbol of service and sacrifice from one of the most historic events that united our nation and showed us how strong we are.

Local Sheriffs honoring the flag at the 9/11/19 ceremony

Then there was 9/11 when I took my son to our city's remembrance ceremony. The guest speaker was a local resident chaplain who flew to NY right after it happened, and spent a total of 28 days assisting the rescue efforts and providing services. He told very realistic stories, not holding back any gruesome details, of the immense patriotism, sacrifice, service, honor, respect and unity that he experienced. He said that some were amazed he traveled across the nation to help, that people came from all over the world to pay respects and do what they could, and there were American flags everywhere you looked.

He described being shocked how there was nothing recognizable about the buildings, not a desk, a single chair, nothing. It was all rubble. There was a 6-story pile of dust and debris that they called "The Pile." Rescuers worked on the pile to find any recognizable piece of any human remains alive or not for weeks. When they found anything, no matter how small or gruesome, it was bagged carefully, covered it with a flag and transported with police escorts, and the honor deserving of Don Long, all the way to pathology, who worked tirelessly to identify the remains.

I know each year this day occurs, I make it a point to discuss it with my son, Kenyon. To show him pictures and the timeline, my own experience, other's reaction and how it changed our country forever. And every time I can't hold back the tears.

Why do we get so emotional? We are emotional for the sacrifice these and many others have given so that we may be free, and for the reminder that freedom is never free. We are emotional in unexplainable gratefulness that we have for every service to our country and it's citizens. We are emotional in solidarity and unity with them as fellow Americans. And we are emotional that we might someday be called to act with the greatness they have shown.

As I mentioned above, it has been said that a crisis will show you who you really are. I have found that to be true. There is a larger crisis coming, I doubt anyone would dispute that, but the crisis for freedom is everyday. And it is greater today than ever before. Every person has that greatness within them. You have been called upon to serve, this is your calling. Serve in whatever way is your purpose to do so. We need your unique gifts and influence. Every little act toward freedom, including educating yourself on its principles serves all of us.

What are your unique talents? What is your purpose (totally okay to still be finding out)? What have you done today, this week, this month to move freedom forward? What can you start doing? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

As I read through this article again, after having been through so much in the last 3 years and questioning more than ever before, I find myself still standing in the place of hope. Solidarity as Americans is still present, I believe, though has taken a hit. And the word "unity" has a different connotation than it did 3 years ago, but those of us who choose freedom are united.

Crisis does show us who we really are, and we're not through yet. This community is stronger, there are more freedom fighters and more independence in the midst of less freedom than we've ever experienced as a nation. Just the massively growing number of homeschoolers tells us that we ARE those Don Longs and those who sacrificed their lives in the hopes of saving others on 9/11.

We don't know what the future will bring. Surely it will get worse before it gets better. But I say "Bring It!"

And I have more hope for our future generation than ever. Keep teaching your kids how to think. Teach them the principles of freedom. Be the example of thinking, questioning, listening, discussing, reading and life-long learning. Get better and your kids will too! I'm proud to be associated with you. I believe our kids will help shift us toward freedom. We just have to do what's ours to do. You got this!

Kami Wanous

The Freedom Scholar

www.thefreedomscholar.com