Never Forget 9/11? How Could We?

“Never Forget” has to have become one of the most over used phrases over the last several weeks leading up to the 10th anniversary of 9/11. I would like to take an opposing approach and rather challenge people to recall, remember and feel. Here are some things to never forget…

– The vision of people leaping from burning buildings and choosing their end on their own terms.

– The sense of patriotism and helping and supporting one another that was rampant after this day’s events played out.

– The nationwide support of a president faced with difficult circumstances, regardless of whether you voted for him.

– The pride of being an American, displayed literally from sea to shining sea, without question, and with conviction.The sense of unity that we had as a people, regardless of nationality and regardless of political divide.

– The vision of American Flags flying routinely in ways that I have never witnessed before (and haven’t since).

– The feeling that I got when I heard Pat Tillman was forgoing his NFL career to become an Army Ranger – because he wanted so badly to do something about what had happened to his country, just like many nameless others.

– The thankfulness I feel for having served my country, and even greater gratitude for those that serve today.

These are the things that people should never forget. These are the feelings that people should never forget. These are the faces that people should never forget. 9/11 is more than a day. 9/11 is when life changed. 9/11 is what changed us. 9/11 is not a person, it is not a place, it is not just a thing. No one will forget 9/11. It would be impossible for anyone who witnessed that day to forget it. This is why the mantra “Never Forget” is becoming desensitized like many other things in our life that should carry immeasurable impact. “Never Forget” is just a phrase unless it carries with it the things that go beyond the day.

So with that being said and having expressed these thoughts, I truly hope that as Americans, we can find our way back to that unity, that caring for one another, that sense of national pride, that sense of service, that desire to rise above, and the brilliance of patriotism demonstrated by this country 10 years ago. These are the things that are forgotten. These are the things that are lost and need to be found again. This starts today with you. This starts today with me. Let’s make something extraordinary – starting TODAY.


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