9/11 Anniversary: Remembering and Never Forgetting

It is absolutely true what they say about dates and events which irrevocably change the course of history. These dates become seared into our minds, and while they may become overshadowed from the priorities of life, these memories remain vividly in our minds and are never forgotten. We remember these days forever; along with where we were and what we were doing the exact moment they occurred. This was true a generation ago for Pearl Harbor, and the same remains true for this generation old enough to remember 9/11.

I vividly recall sitting in second period Chemistry class when it was announced that the first plane had crashed into the first building. Every moment that unfolded afterwards was a surreal experience that no one could articulate, but which everyone felt. From watching people jump out of the buildings on live TV, to an invasion of a country which eventually led to two long wars, to living in a new world where we were now facing a faceless enemy hell bent on destroying us, it was a strange time for all of us as a country.

It was even stranger being a lifelong New Yorker. My grandmother lived 5 minutes from the World Trade Center site, and the lives of many people I personally knew were forever altered in a matter of 17 minutes on that morning. It was hard not to feel that dreadful feeling walking the streets of New York afterwards. Even years after the attacks, going to down to the World Trade Center area left a very somber feeling for me. Just being in the vicinity of the site left an eeriness and sadness that was beyond words. I remember thinking how dark the skies looked every time I was down there, even when the sun was out and the sky was clear.

In a way, it almost felt like… dare I say it… like they had won. Not because they had crippled us in any significant way, but more so because it felt like our way of life was no longer the same. That life was different now. The world was different.

But at the same time, the whole experience has also shown just how great we are as a people and as a country.

The compassion of first responders and volunteers echoes the character of the people in our city and country who are selflessly willing to give up their lives in the name of helping a nameless stranger. We see this every day in the world, when countless Americans travel to all corners of the world to help others in the name of humanity. From fighting Ebola in Africa, to aid workers volunteering in Syria and war torn regions, we are there trying to help in any little way we can. The voices of these Americans are rarely recognized but make up the moral character of our country.

The experience also showed the astounding resiliency of our country. While one of the goals of the attacks was to cripple our economy and morale, we can look them in the face and say that they failed. We went on to become as prosperous as ever as a nation, and business continued to thrive. Apple launched the Ipod a month after the attacks, and went on to become one of the most successful companies in history. Innovation after innovation continued to flow from the heart of American businesses, and we continued to lead the world in every arena.

Yes, we did suffer an economic crisis and spent trillions of dollars on two wars, but these were more so a result of our own decisions rather than what they were able to inflict upon us. And while they may have succeeded in altering the trajectory of our nation, the bottom line is that we are still open for business. We are still here and we continue doing what we do best.

Perhaps the greatest to come out of all of this however, is the unexpected love and compassion of people from all over the country and from all over the world. Although the attacks were designed to spread fear and terror, the result ended up being quite the opposite. The outpouring of love and support from all corners of the globe brought out the best in people, and showed just how flawed their ideology was. They had lost even before they started fighting because their vision is one based on hate and destruction.

I remember going down to the World Trade Center area in recent years and feeling a difference in the way I felt when I was there. Things felt calmer, lighter, and happier. The darkness and dreadfulness I had experienced in prior years was no longer there. Call me crazy, but I think the outpouring of love and prayers from visitors and the world over have shifted the energy there. You can see the look on the faces of visitors as they visit the site; somber from the events that occurred, while simultaneously exuding love for those who have passed. That outpouring of love and compassion lets us know that we are the ones who have ultimately won.

Maybe it wasn’t as evident initially amidst all the chaos, but like any tough challenge in life, this whole experience has made us stronger as individuals and as a people. It has strengthened our resolve in our beliefs, opened our eyes to the inequities in the world we may have never noticed before, and ultimately reinforced the notion that good always triumphs over evil.

So on this 14th anniversary of September 11th, 2001, it is another year for us to reflect upon ourselves and the world around us. We will never forget the darkness of that fateful morning, but must also remember the things we have learned along the way. We will keep the memories of those lost in our hearts, all while promising to continue living our lives as fully, happily, and fulfilled as possible.

That is the least we can do because they will never win.