EDITORIAL: ‘Lest We Forget’

Posted 9/8/11

Maybe you were on the farm amid fields ripe for harvest when the news came across the radio. Or getting ready for work when stunned newscasters began reporting about the terrorist attacks. Or standing quietly in a classroom, huddled with other …

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EDITORIAL: ‘Lest We Forget’

Posted

Approaching the 10th anniversary of 9/11, much has been written, observed and spoken about the September morning that forever changed America.

Though Powell is far removed in distance from the East Coast, residents here closely experienced the impact, tragedy and magnitude of what unfolded on that sunny, crisp September morning.

Maybe you were on the farm amid fields ripe for harvest when the news came across the radio. Or getting ready for work when stunned newscasters began reporting about the terrorist attacks. Or standing quietly in a classroom, huddled with other students around a television.

No matter where we were on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, we remember those moments. On Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, the community of Powell will pause once again to remember and honor those who died that fateful day.

Aptly titled “Lest We Forget,” the local ceremony ensures the historic, tragic events of 9/11 will be remembered.

There are many aspects of 9/11 to recall on this anniversary — the heroes, the fallen, the fight against terrorists who attacked us, the patriotism — we hope residents also remember the unity of this nation in the days that followed Sept. 11, 2001.

As a nation, we gathered together as one, putting differences aside. Rather than defining ourselves by a political party, on that day, we simply were Americans. Together in our grief, together in our patriotism, together in our resilience.

And yet, in the decade that has followed, America has been marked by political polarization, relentless partisanship and growing disillusionment.

Just several months ago, President Barack Obama evoked that sense of unity once more following the death of terrorist Osama bin Laden.

“Tonight, let us think back to the sense of unity that prevailed on 9/11,” Obama told Americans in May. “I know that it has, at times, frayed. Yet today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American people.”

As Americans, we always will remember 9/11 — but let us not forget to be united as a nation.

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