Those of us who were alive and able to comprehend existence on 9/11/01 all remember where we were when it happened - the explosive striking of one jet and then soon after another into the twin towers of the World Trade Center. After the second strike and yet another jet crashing into the Pentagon and a fourth jet taken down by heroes to crash into a field (avoiding more major losses of life), we knew our world and lives in the United States was changed forever. This was a terrorist act jarring us from the misguided sense of total security and the belief that we were invincible from such a massive attack of evil that claimed the lives of over 3,000 Americans.
Today, the 17th anniversary of 9/11, is not a day to politicize the nightmarish event that befell our nation 17 years ago. Now is not the time to talk about the wars, policies, etc. that have unfolded over the past nearly two decades in response to this attack. We all swore that day that we would "never forget", but sometimes, we all do. We become complacent. We lack gratitude for the lives we have that those 3,000 souls abruptly lost that horrible day. We neglect to truly appreciate the blood, sweat, and tears of our military to keep us safe from another apocalyptic event.
17 years later, we are sadly a nation more divided than ever. And that's not going to change anytime soon, and is not an indictment on either party. Again, this is not the time for partisan speak. I simply ask that today, and every 9/11 in history, we at least pause to put aside our anger and vitriol and join hands and bow our heads to remember those lost on September 11. And to never forget the price of freedom.
May this nation never suffer such a tragic day again. May those lost on 9/11/01 rest in peace.