It is appropriate this week to reflect on the events of September 11, 2001. There was so much horror that day and in the aftermath. Yet, there were also countless stories of heroism, kindness, survival, and love.
Today, I am thankful for those who continue to keep the stories alive.
I read a statistic today that this year’s college freshman were only in the first grade on 9/11/01. They and their younger brothers and sisters have little to no memory of this date. It’s not an experience for them, it’s simply history.
As with any generation and any historical event, it is up to those who experienced it to keep it alive for those who did not. 9/11 is no different, Share stories with your children or students or friends: Where were you? How did you feel? How did 9/11 impact your family? How do you honor those who were lost? What was it like the first time you flew after 9/11? Why do you pay tribute every year? What did the flag mean to you in the days after? How did you feel when the military went to Afghanistan?
Eventually, of course, 9/11 will be just history for everyone. Let’s make sure that history is more than just a few pages in a textbook. .
