Today, September 11, marks the second anniversary of the day nearly 2,800 Americans and citizens from several other countries working in the U.S. lost their lives in a terrorist attack. How will I honor the occasion? Will I sing patriotic songs while waving a plastic flag, listen to a politician say a prayer for the cameras, listen to Dan Rather slam Muslims on the CBS news (which, in fact, he did), take an opportunistic AOL poll that dares me on this "patriotic occasion" to admit I feel I've lost any freedoms since 9/11, or read in the "Washington Post" or any ladies mag on the latest reasons to be afraid, very afraid? I will do none of these things. Why? Because I plan to HONOR, not DEFILE, the memory of those who died on 9/11.

Here is a list of things I will and will not do to honor the dead:

I WILL continue to push for the truth about 9/11, that those TRULY responsible will be brought to justice.

I WILL NOT docilely accept the Bush administration's ever-changing story as to the events of that day and its ever-changing accusations as to who the perpetrators were and who they were allied with. It is a story that seems to change with each new political crisis in the career of G. W. Bush.

I WILL honor the memory of those who died by helping to work to make America a better place than it was before 9/11.

WILL NOT defile the memory of those who died by standing silently by as the Bush administration turns the tragedy into bargaining chip with which it hopes to win ever greater powers at the expense of our treasured ideals.

I WILL honor the memory of those who died, who were of many different races, cultures and religions, from many different countries - not just Americans - by promoting tolerance and compassion among all races, cultures, and relgions.

I WILL NOT defile the memory of those who died by condoning by silence the anti-Muslim, anti-Arab attitudes that have become "federal policy" under G. W. Bush

I WILL honor the memory of those who died by supporting those woefully few brave journalists and editors who seek and present the truth to the American people.

I WILL NOT defile the memory of those who have died by condoning the intentional and malicious manipulation and suppression of facts now being perpetrated on the American people by the mainstream media.

I WILL support the role of peacemaker for America, no matter how hard that road may be to follow.

I WILL NOT support the use of our military for corporate gain, and most especially not when such wars are justified by lies and promoted in the names of those no longer here to speak for themselves - those who died on 9/11.

I WILL support all those who speak out and demand the truth from the U.S. government - a government that is supposed to be "For the People and "By the People," not a government "of the people" and "despite the people."

I WILL NOT support the trashing of the constitution in the names of those no longer here to speak for themselves.

I WILL press continuously for an end to American aggression against other nations in the name of "liberation" and "security."

I WILL NOT accept the failure of the Bush administration to insure the liberty and security of Americans here in our own nation by its continued undermining of the rights of the people and undercutting to the public servants (police, firefighters, and guardsmen) who truly are our first line of defense.

I WILL push for the safe return of our troops from Iraq and will support all investigations into the government's inexcusable treatment of these Americans.

I WILL NOT I support the continued misery and deaths of American soldiers to promote the personal ambitions of G. W. Bush and his associates, most especially not in the names of those no longer here to speak for themselves.

To the dead of 9/11 and those who survive them, I make this solemn pledge.

Cheryl Seal 9/11/2003