Thoughts on 9-11

It seems appropriate to discuss 9-11 on the tenth anniversary of that fateful day. The events of that day will be forever etched in people's memory. Yesterday, President Clinton and President Bush spoke at a ceremony in Shanksville, Pennsylvania- the site of plane crash of Flight 93. Flight 93 was the plane that fought back, and saved the Capitol from destruction.  It was truly inspiring to listen to both presidents articulate their views of that tragic day. Clinton cited similarities between the actions on Flight 93 with other significant events in history, most notably the Alamo.

Switching gears slightly, I'd like to direct the reader's attention to an article written by George Will. http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/sept-11s-self-inflicted-wounds/2011/09/08/gIQAfjm5FK_story.html

The article is certainly worth reading, but I should warn the reader that Will's assessment is rather pessimistic. I'd like to draw out a theme from the article, which centers on what actually changed that day. Will made the argument that for the average American things really have not changed. I’d like to approach that topic from a different direction, and ask what lesson(s) can be taken from 9-11. Few will disagree that 2011 has not necessarily been a high point in American history; but I feel that by readjusting our views events such as 9-11 we can gain strength and courage from our history.  

The lesson we all need to take from 9-11 is that America is resilient and strong.  Strength can be found in the first responders who ran into the burning towers. Courage was certainly present in the two employees from the Port Authority who helped evacuate their fellow employees and then went to other floors and cleared people out. These were people simply helping others. Was their fate tragic? Yes, it most certainly was. But from this tragedy we can find hope in each other. There is no doubt in my mind that if a similar tragedy happened again, individuals would rise to the occasion. My conviction in this thought is found in the stories from ten years ago today.

Let us therefore, never forget. Let us remember the Twin Towers; let us remember Flight 93; and let us remember the Pentagon! With our faith in one another, America can move forward stronger than before!