Last weekend, I attended the American Heritage Museum’s Historic Aviation Weekend, which featured flight demonstrations of historic aircraft and a presentation by Maj. Heather “Lucky” Penny, USAF (Ret.). Penny was one of the two F-16 pilots who were sent to intercept United Flight 93 on a day 25 years ago that changed the United States forever – September 11, 2001.

For those who follow this blog or my social media channels, you know how many times I’ve visited this museum. From its legendary tanks and aircraft to artifacts from conflicts long past, it’s a museum that not only shows us history but also informs us of the ramifications of such actions. The museum leaves room for independent interpretation, engaging visitors in what its contents stand for.

During Maj. Penny’s moving speech about her experience on September 11 (I hope the museum posts it in its entirety), she reflected on how we as a nation came together in the aftermath of al Qaeda’s terrorist attacks, united in purpose and resolve to never allow something like this to happen again. It was a moment akin to what the nation went through on December 7, 1941, when Imperial Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. But it was when she stated that those who perished in the September 11 attacks may be disappointed to see just how separated our nation has become ideologically since that fateful day. She added that the living witnesses to such tragedies will eventually no longer be with us, leaving only the equipment as witnesses.  

For those who see a nation divided, remember that during those dark days, political ideology didn’t really matter. What mattered was the country’s survival. It’s OK to disagree on policy, but not the dissolution or weakening of a country that has more than once saved this world from itself.  We are one of the few countries that truly allows freedom of expression, but when that expression begets the dissolution of the country, that is a line that simply can’t be crossed, for what lies on the other side are examples of failed states.  A portion of the Berlin Wall at the American Heritage Museum is a shining illustration of one of those failed states.

When we look around the museum and see a tank, a plane, remains of the World Trade Center, and other representations of history, we must remember that, however inanimate an object may look today in a museum, it witnessed historical events. It’s important to remember Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s quote, which was a variation of what philosopher George Santayana first said: “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Since I will be in New Orleans next weekend, I look forward to visiting the National WWII Museum and learning from witnesses to a global conflict I hope we never repeat.

While I’m on the topic of the military, I finished watching The Last Ship – The crew of a naval destroyer is forced to confront the reality of a new existence when a pandemic kills off most of the Earth’s population – on Netflix. Although I didn’t have the opportunity to watch this series during its initial run from 2014-2018, the series is brilliantly acted and produced. Starring Eric Dane, Adam Baldwin, and Charles Parnell, the show illustrates what could happen if such a pandemic actually occurred. In addition to well-developed storylines and character development, the military engagement scenes were first-rate (no surprise with Michael Bay as one of the producers!).

I was more than halfway through the third season when I started looking up the actors and crew on IMDb. It was there that I learned of the passing of Eric Dane to ALS earlier this year at only 53 years of age. The adage, “Life is short,” could not be truer in this context. But his work will live on forever.

Remember what the character Auntie Mame said: “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!”

Enjoy life. You only have one!