The 9-11 attacks are accurately called the Pearl Harbor of
our time. They will continue to be
remembered by our country as long we do not become complacent. We don’t get the day off, so 9-11 won’t become
a three-day weekend for holiday makers.
Instead, it has the real possibility of sliding into “just another day”
when the average person in America has to go to work, go to school, and in
general take care of daily affairs. Of
course, there will be the “big” ceremony in New York, but that has become
expected much like the annual wreath laying at Pearl Harbor on December 7.
Locally, though, what’s happening? I’m in Washington this week. A quick search told me that on September 11
AARP is having a Celebration of Service Meal Pack Challenge on the National Mall. I wanted to attend the Pentagon’s memorial
service, only to find that the Memorial is closed to the public for a private
service to allow family members of those lost in the terrorist attack to
observe the memory of their loved ones.
The media will be there of course so I guess we will see it on the
five o’clock news.
Even though organized celebrations seem to be on the wane, I’ll
remember. I’m sure there are millions of other Americans who will remember even
though they can’t take off work to attend an official event. So it seems that we must carry that day
in our hearts, regardless of whether we attend an event or not.
Perhaps that’s the best way to ensure the
memory will stay alive.