Can we ever be that way again?

Americans of all shapes and sizes, races and creeds, backgrounds and economic levels awoke on September 12, 2001 with a new cohesiveness not seen since December 8, 1941–the day after Japanese air forces attacked Pearl Harbor, HI, then a U. S. territory.
For perhaps the first time in my life, I could sense the patriotism in everyone I came across that day, and in the following days and weeks, for our country had been attacked, and thousands of our countrymen lay dead.  Everyone came together, and we were ready to hit back at once.
Fifteen years and three federal election cycles and four off-year elections later, the country is as divided as it ever was.  Pro football players are even getting into the act, with several deciding to ‘sit-out’ the national anthem in recent weeks – even on 9/11!  (Really?  You make millions of dollars playing a game, and you are offended by the national anthem of your own country, where freedom was earned through bloodshed and the angst of struggle against the oppressors?)
Unfortunately, that togetherness has been shredded and nearly forgotten.  Is it going to take another attack to bring us together again?  I sure do hope not.  We all need to wake up each morning grateful for our freedom and willing to die for our fellow countrymen for liberty in perpetuity.