today's 9/11 fuck islam and remember the 3000 victims of sicko islamic terrorism
Not to TMI, but I did a weighted remembrance hike with military and firefighters today, and there was something almost unreal about watching the mountain come alive before the sun did. In the thin blue light of dawn, flaks, weighted vests, and full firefighter turnout gear moved steadily up the trail that seemed damn near vertical, an American flag climbing beside a company guidon as the sky slowly caught fire behind them. Some carried filled ammo cans; others hauled buckets of gravel, shouldering extra weight so they could repair the trail as they climbed it. It was damn near picturesque, not because it was easy or polished, but because every person there had cared enough to crawl out of bed around 0300, make the trek out, load themselves down, and climb. There was something quietly beautiful about remembrance being made physical: grief given weight, respect given footsteps.
On the way down, I turned around and saw one of the firefighters. The guidon was under his palm and leaning over his shoulder. He moved with simple and light steps, not even sweating, or if he was, I couldn't tell. He had a long face and a solemn expression, or maybe he was just tired. Either way, the flag hung over his shoulder in a beautiful red that caught the sun. The sun had just risen and gave him a warm glow. The fire fighter kit was worn and it had his name in bright yellow letters on the back. I never knew they were customized like that. I wonder if they were back then.
At the summit, everyone gathered for a speech before three final “Oorahs” broke across the mountain. Then came the order, “Back to work”, answered with cheers, smiles and laughter, and just like that, the solemnity loosened its grip and everyone started back down. And, naturally, you can bet your ass I left a Kiwifarms sticker on a sign at the top; I hope the damn thing survives the weather long enough to greet me again next year.
That little bit of stupidity aside, I’ll always mourn the victims and the families left behind. No one deserves to lose someone they love in something so senseless and twisted. Today was a good reminder that remembrance does not always have to be silent. Sometimes it wakes at 0300, straps weight to its back, raises a flag into the dawn, and starts climbing.
Sorry for the sperg. It just really hit me today.
