There are moments in our lives we never forget. For many of us, the moments are joyful and cause to celebrate — the birth of a child, a graduation, a wedding.
But, so many generations have an unforgettable moment marked by tragedy. As I grew up, the tragic moment of my parents’ generation was remembered with this question: Where were you when you heard about JFK’s assassination? Although this terrible saga in American history occurred before I was born, the emotional weight of it is apparent in every ready answer from among those who lived through the tragedy. It was an event so shocking – so calculated to strike at our emotional foundations – that no one could forget where they’d been when they heard the news; a moment so cold it burned itself into our collective memories.
On September 11, 2001, a new question was presented to my generation: “Where were you when …?” The words that followed “when” were too many and too painful – when the first plane struck the World Trade Center, when the Pentagon was hit, when United 93 went down, when the first tower fell and then the second. Ask me to recall what I did last Monday, and I could give only scant details. Yet still today, I can recall even the smallest details of how my day unfolded on September 11, 2001. And, my heartache was limited to the loss of a naive sense of safety. I cannot begin to imagine what this day recalls for the hearts and minds of those who lost much, much more that day.
To those who lost their lives in this tragedy, and to their families, friends and loved ones; to those who volunteered their lives in service to this country in the aftermath of 9/11, and to their families, friends and loved ones —
I remember.
Photo credit: Getty Images
ProfMomEsq 
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Lawrence Binyon from the poem ‘For The Fallen’
That is beautiful, Rose. Thank you.
So moving. Sometimes it’s easier to not remember, because thinking of that day is so painful, but we promised to remember! We all did!
I know exactly what you mean. As hard as it is to relive that day, it feels better to keep the promise. 😉
Every year our school shows a tribute to the heroes of 9/11. I cry every time. At first I was embarrassed to have my students see such an exhibit of emotion. Now I realize that it is a jumping off point for a discussion of it. Kids need to see that it was/is important.
Reblogged this on ProfMomEsq and commented:
Sharing this again today in memory of so many heroes – then and now.