Never Forget

For those of us old enough to remember the horrific attacks that happened on September 11, 2001, two words – Never Forget, immediately takes us back and stirs up many emotions. 

It’s hard to believe that 21 years have passed since terrorists hijacked jetliners and attacked the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington. The magnitude of that day can still feel so overwhelming to those of us who lived it. 

Even if you did not experience a personal loss of a loved one, Americans across the country felt the emotion, pain, and grief as if you had. 

Because we will NEVER FORGET, we still feel the same emotions today that we felt watching the news as the cascading events flowed over us in that dark morning and through that agonizing day. 

It’s strangely true and powerful how I remember standing in my apartment, getting ready to leave for the day, and the shock and disbelief that overcame me as I watched on my small tube t.v. the video of the first plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. 

Unsure of what just happened and assuming it was an isolated accident I continued to watch. I called my grandma to check on her and see if she had heard the news. As we were talking, it happened again. At 9:03 a.m. a second plane struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center. And it was revealed the nation was under attack. 

The word that comes to mind – unimaginable.

You know what else we remember? We remember the country coming together in the aftermath. The incredible solidarity of All Americans. No matter any differences – We The People, became ONE. 

A country UNITED. 

United in morning for ALL who were attacked. For ALL whom displayed the greatest courage and came running to their aide. 

For the brave that fought off terrorist in flight (Flight 93) choosing to sacrifice themselves and said - “Let’s Roll”.  

For ALL the military service men and women that stood up and responded to the attacks with immediate action. 

The words Strength, Courage, Resolve, Unity were on full display and on the highest level that I had personally ever witnessed in my young 27 year life. 

As the years pass, we are being joined by a new generation of people who are too young to remember or weren't alive on Sept. 11, 2001. In fact, more than a quarter of the people alive today are too young to remember the horror of that day or how the nation reacted in the days following the attacks. 

While there is much that has recently happened in our country that I am absolutely disgusted by and do not agree with, it makes me wonder how much of that nonsense is a result on forgetting or not knowing? 

Peace, comfort, growth, prosperity can never be taken for granted. In this world, it’s not guaranteed or promised to anyone. And it certainly doesn’t just happen on it's own. 

This new generation may not have first-hand memories of 9/11, and they need to be told of the community’s shared loss – and the response. 

This responsibility falls to those of us who lived through the experience. The pain, fear, loss can be used to teach and remind them of the things, people, and values that matter most. 

That make us great, strong, and united. 

Use your power today to talk to a member of this young generation and share how you felt – and how you are feeling.  About this anniversary and how we need to act now to Never Forget that We Are One Nation Under GOD, Indivisible, with liberty and justice for ALL. 

God Bless The U.S.A.

Brock 

P.S. If not us, then who? Please share this message with someone that comes to your mind to initiate this important conversation. I surely pray that it helps you today. 

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