Now that I'm older, I've read as much as I can about that day. I wanted to really remember it, not just the little that I actually did. I think it is important that all of us remember it as much as we possibly can. We need to remember the lives that were lost, and we need to remember the heroes that appeared that day. The firefighters, yes, and also the commonly overlooked heroes. People who went through the North Tower to be sure as many people were out as possible, then died in the building's collapse. People who overtook the terrorists in the cockpit of Flight 93 to prevent an attack on D.C.
Just think about it. What would you do if you were sitting in your office, when suddenly you felt a huge crash into the building? Things started catching on fire. Most of the power went out, and all you could see outside the windows was darkness. You had no real connection to the outside world and did not know what was going on. Or you could imagine you were actually on one of those planes-- any of the four that were hijacked that day. The first two flew straight into two of the tallest buildings in the world. With that much jet-fuel being thrust into such an explosion, the planes literally evaporated. Or being on Flight 93, on which the passengers stormed the cockpit and saved an attack on Washington, D.C., from happening.
9/11 was really a thought provoking day. We were attacked on our own soil, and for that one day, every American was united. Everyone was standing together against the terrorists that were trying to break us. We would show them that it was not possible, no matter how hard they tried!
Every September 11th, we should bring back that unity and remember the lives lost, and re-voice the mission to fight terrorism. Every year, but especially this one. This is the ten year anniversary. The attacks happened whole decade ago! There are many things we can do to help do this. One of the simplest things you can do is raise a flag; put up your American flag, just as a small sign to everyone who sees it that you do remember.
The Foundry and Heritage are doing their part to get the word out to raise your flag. By visiting their website, http://blog.heritage.org/9-11-project/, you can see the efforts they are putting forth. By supporting their efforts, you are really showing that you have not, and will never, forget that day. The day that every American was united against terrorists. By raising a flag, you can help bring that unity back in one of the times we desperately need it the most.
Below is a video remembering the 9/11 attacks.
It is truly amazing to think that the attack happened 10 years ago! already! And the worst part is, eventually, September 11 will soon just be another day on the calendar - like Pearl Harbor Day. You're right about the unity that the attacks brought us because on 9/12, when we had never felt so vulnerable before, there were no politics. There honestly was nothing else, no other way to define yourself than as "American". People today forget that we were all in the attack together and its memory is often clouded by political conflict, publicity struggle and even political correctness.
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