by Robert Griffith

Created on: January 21, 2009

Yes. And here's why. Seven years ago on January 6, 2002 the leading newspaper in Vancouver, Washington - The Columbian - printed an article in their Local View slot entitled "We carry on the work of our heroes." It was a reflection on the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. It was about the first-reponders who gave their lives rushing to the aid of others in the World Trade Center. It was about the families they left behind. And it was about the American people going forward to advance the unfinished work of those fallen heroes.

It was a remarkable time in America's history. Stricken horribly and deeply wounded, in an instant we dropped petty grievance and tightly-held differences and together ran toward the sound of the gunfire. In our homes, at work, in the streets and in our neighborhood stores we were compassionate and solicitous, asking one another how we were doing, consoling the stricken, sharing the grief. New heroes stepped forward to help, and serve, and fight. For a moment Americans were united with a solidarity rarely present in a free society where the right to differ and disagree is fundamental and guaranteed. We found ourselves standing firmly on common ground, squared away and ready to do whatever needed doing. Together.

Now January 20, 2009 landmarks another remarkable time in American history. Barack Hussein Obama has taken the oath of office and is now our President. The power and glory of the moment is felt by literally hundreds of millions of people around the world. Why is it so? Hope. There's that word again. It is so because so many of us have desired and long hoped for and rarely seen the victory of virtue over baser human instincts.

There is a rising sense that such a victory is present in the election of Barack Obama, who now iconically reflects the values, virtues and highest principles of so many. He speaks in measured and deliberate terms of freedom, fairness, opportunity, compassion, humility, sacrifice, cooperation, hard work and service. But more than that, in a clearly evident and believable way, he personally represents and practices these things. He is leading the way. In the beginning, he brought us hope. Now hope is becoming belief, and because of that the American spirit is on the rise.

Leadership. It means so much. In 2002, the Columbian article observed that after the tragedy and trauma of 9/11 had faded, "for many there will be a return to mundanity. The awe and glory will fade, the gained perspective

• 1
• 2
• Next Page >>