Previously Published in The Messenger
We see and hear these words plastered on social media, television, and the editorial pages of newspapers every year.
But when words are repeated so often, they lose their edge, through no fault of their own, rather, the passage of time and what accompanies it.
The duty of us all now is not only to never forget what transpired twenty-three years ago, but to ensure those words remain sharp in our memories and evident in our conduct.
The worst terrorist attack on our nation’s soil completely changed how our country and the world worked in a fraction of second. More importantly, it changed countless lives equally as fast, and we owe it to those fallen, those affected, and those who gave all to save others to never let the creed of “always remember” retain its bite.
September 11, 2001, was the thin veneer that transformed how we view the world, how we view each other, and how we view the fragility of life, even through the minutiae of simply boarding a train to commute to work in the morning. It was the fine line between civilization and unadulterated chaos; a relatively open nation and one constantly watching its back; peace and pure evil.
The lives forever changed, the children – who are now adults – who grew up with a parent, the sheer will of the first responders who ran into a setting unlike any they had ever likely imagined without hesitation. That’s why we should strive to never forget.
The military and governmental landscapes forever changed, the uncertainty of another attack of that caliber brewing somewhere in the world, the disregard some people today have for their country, their servicemembers, and their liberties. That’s why we should work to never forget.
It’s not lost on us here at The Messenger, and it’s not lost on the vast majority of Americans either. At the risk of sounding hypocritical by referencing words repeated ad nauseum that they tend to lose their significance, we simply ask our readers to remember the patriotism, unity, and determination of September 12. Surely, we would never want another September 11, but we’ll take September 12 any day.
For reference, our country was somewhat intensely divided. The 2000 election was a nail-biter that pit people against each other for months, the world was reacting to new technology and new changes that made many nervous of their capabilities, and the world altogether was careening into the nascent Twenty-First Century.
It’s not that much of a different picture today, depending on who you ask, but we shouldn’t need a calamitous event to realize that we need each other to ensure our great country remains standing. We shouldn’t need the worst sights imaginable to remind us of the fragility and sanctity of life.
This year, remember that “not forgetting” is more than just saying it. Don’t let those words lose their bite, and more importantly, treat your loved ones as if your next bus ride is your last. That’s perhaps the most stark takeaway from the September 11 attacks, in that such a serene, typical Tuesday morning quickly unraveled into a nightmare of cinematic proportions.
Always remember the impact the attacks had, of course, but always remember the position you hold in others’ lives and vice versa. Those who hate us can take away buildings and even people, but they can never remove impacts and imprints left by those who care so much to retain them.
The Messenger honors all who lost and were lost in the September 11 attacks, and we especially thank and honor the first responders who sacrificed their lives or health on that day.