What's Your Story? 9-11 Memories

"The greatest lesson we can learn from the past. . . is that freedom is at the core of every successful nation in the world."
Frederick Chiluba, former president of Zambia

There has been war since time began. People will always find ways to disagree and kill each other. Our young country has certainly experienced a number of wars and with them, loss and sadness. I was just a kid when the Vietnam War ended and the Gulf War didn’t seem to have a huge impact on my life, although I know it was devastating for many others. The war we’re fighting now in Iraq is far away but we’re connected by all our soldiers sacrificing and standing up for freedom; ours and the Iraqis’. These are our family, our loved ones. It may be far away, but those fighting it are from right next door. This fact (as with all wars) brings it close to home.

But close to home isn’t the same as home. On September 11, 2001 we experienced an attack on our front yard. We didn’t engage our emotions simply because our soldiers were bravely fighting at a distance. We couldn’t stop our emotions because it truly was happening to us. Each and every one of us. We were attacked. Almost impossible to believe, but true.

Over this past week of remembering, as the anniversary of that event crossed our calendars, it was good to see car lights turned on, flags waving and people sharing stories. The most valuable thing about history is what we learn from it. We've learned nothing if we forget the attacks of September 11.

We live in the 21st century, and for good or bad, from now forward we will see and experience history-making events "live, up-close and personal." This was never more true than with the terror strikes on 9-11. We all stood watching our TVs with open mouths, slack jaws and tears streaming. I didn't suffer the loss of a loved one that day, but I felt like my family (the United States) was struggling to fight a deadly disease (Islamic terrorism) on behalf of one of our own (NYC). We all experienced it together and were united in our emotions of shock, anger, fear and grief.
A terrible day to be sure, but the hidden blessing was that we all stood together throughout, living the journey in real time.
Where were you that day? What were you thinking as the truth of it all began to unfold? Share a thought and keep history alive, not just here, but at work, with young children and strangers at the grocery store.
Diane Markins