10 Years Later fromtheeditor


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As the nation marks the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack — and a decade at war against terrorism — Military Offi cer fi nds out how its members’ lives have changed since the event.


This September marks 10 years since al-Qaida suicide bombers killed nearly 3,000 innocent people in a coordinated, four-part attack on our nation. The U.S. responded by launching the war on ter- rorism, and our military forces since have fought a decade of war. To mark this anniversary, we asked


MOAA members to share their stories about how the Sept. 11, 2001, attack changed their lives. We received nearly 100 responses. Check out a selection of your fellow members’ comments in “De- cade of Change,” page 82. Some Americans likened the Sept. 11 attack to Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor. Both came without warning. Both roused America to war. But in “The Long War,” page 87, Alan Dowd asserts Pearl Harbor is not a good historical parallel to the Sept. 11 attack and its aftermath. He suggests the struggle against global terrorism shares more similarities with the Cold War against Soviet communism. What do you think? We welcome your comments at www.moaa .org/discussion. Click on The Long War. Or write to MOAA, Attn: Editor, 201 N. Wash- ington St., Alexandria, VA 22314. A decade of war has stressed service- members and their families. If you’ve fol- lowed our media, you’re familiar with what MOAA is doing to help troops and their families, including wounded warriors and their caregivers. But the long war also has stressed the nation’s economy, which might be reaching the point of fracture.


10 MILITARY OFFICER SEPTEMBER 2011


Congress and administration leaders are considering legislation that would limit gov- ernment funding. If certain initiatives be- come law, they could aff ect military retired pay, the Survivor Benefi t Plan, TRICARE For Life, and other military programs. Are you up to speed on the ongoing debate? Are you telling lawmakers your position? I refer you to Washington Scene, page 31, to learn more. (Stay up-to-date by subscribing to MOAA’s Legislative Update and other e-newsletters at www.moaa.org/email.) As always, this September issue carries a special section on retirement — some- thing we all hope to enjoy at some point! Given the current fi nancial crisis, security in retirement could become a greater chal- lenge. In fact, according to a June 15, 2011, Gallup Poll, lack of retirement funds is Americans’ biggest fi nancial worry. Most military retirees are in better shape


for retirement than the general populace. But this is no time for complacency. In “Are You Financially Fit to Retire,” page 66, MOAA’s own Capt. Bud Schneeweis, USCG- Ret., CFP®, shares some tips for getting into good fi nancial shape for retirement. On Sept. 11, we’ll pause to remember the victims of the 2001 attack and their loved ones. We’ll also salute the service- members and their families who continue the fi ght against terrorism.


— Col. Warren S. Lacy, USA-Ret.


PHOTO: STEVE BARRETT


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