Today marks 14 years since our world as we knew it was turned upside down. It’s impossible to fully describe the impact – globally, nationally or personally – of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 – “9/11.” None of us living through that time will ever forget where we were when we heard the news and the circumstances of our lives. I was enrolled as a full-time “non-traditional” student at the University of Utah finally finishing my degree. I was running late that morning. Switched on the radio to my favorite Classical music station hoping to calm my nerves with a little Brahms or Tchaikovsky.
Instead, I heard Terror.
😥
I watched the towers tumble down on an 8 inch black and white screen – a tiny relic hiding in a custodial closet. There were about 10 of us huddled around in shocked silence trying to make sense of what we were seeing.
It was surreal.
Confusing. Horrifying. Numbing.
From that moment on, all of those dreadful minutes, hours, days and weeks have slowly rolled by. It’s hard to believe that it’s really been been 14 years. It’s a bit sad and discouraging to know that nearly an entire generation has been born and grown up only hearing about “9/11” as a history lesson. It is as distant and foreign to them as events from World War II are to me.
But, I digress.
Today is a day to remember. A day to remember those who directly lost their lives at the hands of the terrorists, and those who lost their lives in the aftermath – many who gave their lives in the rescue effort.
A day to remember the brave heroes who gave their all. (Including the service animals!)
A day to remember the miracles, the tears, and the tender mercies.
A day to remember how our entire nation rallied together, and how “God Bless America” took on a much deeper meaning to our citizens – we sang it so often together that there was even a plea to make this song our national anthem.
In many ways, we were reborn as a nation. Once more, we were flying our flags. We were voting. We were singing. We were paying tribute. We were humble. We were a Nation united in prayer and faith.
One Nation. Under God. Indivisible.
Oh, how quickly we seem to forget!
Fourteen years later we are still at war. It is a war that seems to have no end both abroad, or at home. Once more we are a nation divided with too many dark and dismal issues. We are a nation that is not humble and is not grateful. We have forgotten our values, and are awash in controversies and contention.
And yet, there is still also great good in our nation and the world,. There is still great hope and light.
These prophetic words of comfort and encouragement were given one year after the tragedy, and are still relevant today:
“Today, the world remembers the tragic events of September 11, 2001. We are still shocked and dismayed at the infamy of those cowardly attacks.
“During the past year, we have come to know the heroic acts of men and women whose courage and selflessness were manifest on that terrible day. So many lost their lives. So many friends and families have been deprived of dear ones. Today we pause to remember and join in tribute to those whose lives were taken and to those who have carried on so bravely in their absence.
“We know that much good has come of these dreadful circumstances. From the smoke and ashes of New York, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, and other areas of the world has arisen a greater sense of unity and purpose in ridding the earth of evil and providing for the freedom and security of all people. We endorse the righteous efforts of God-fearing people everywhere in this important endeavor.
“May our Father in Heaven smile upon us all, comfort those who continue to mourn, and guide the leaders of nations in the quest for justice and liberty, is our sincere prayer.”
– President Gordon B. Hinckley, and the Council of the Twelve Apostles, LDS Church – Sept. 11, 2002.
Today, let us Remember what it means to be a human family.
Let us stand true and strong in our faith.
Let us be humble in our hearts and closer to our God, so that it does not take another tragedy to force us to be humble and grateful for our existence.
Let us each strive to bring peace, kindness and goodness to this earth in whatever corner we currently live.
God bless us, every one. – MoSop
Latter-day Soprano 
My daughter was in New York City, working as a nanny. I’lol never forget the relief when I learned she and the family she worked for were all safe. Physical safety, however, doesn’t mean they were alright. The mom she worked for was only 3 blocks from Ground Zero and witnessed people jumping to their death. She had to walk miles to get home since the Long Island Expressway was closed and she didn’t have cell service. To say she was traumatized was an understatement. My heart aches for the first responders for the horrors they saw and endured. What a shattering event for so many. Sadly, I don’t believe the lesson stuck with us.
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Indeed, how quickly we forget….and as Doxiemama said, “I don’t believe the lesson stuck…” God, help us! And the war at home you mention, Holly, is unacceptable! It really is! Is it too late for an HONEST application of 2 Chronicles, 7:14: “.If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
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My son had joined the army in 1989 and was stationed in Germany. He had gone through the first Gulf War as a gunner in a Bradley tank. He was sent back to Iraq immediately following the “We Won” speech by Pres. Bush. Unfortunately, we haven’t won yet. I remember where I was on that fateful day. I was at work and the receptionist said her husband called and a plane hit one of the World Trade buildings. We went to the break room where there was a TV. We all assumed it was an accident. Then, while we were standing there watching, a second plane hit, and we knew there was something else very evil going on. When the first building collapsed, I knew the second one would too. I’ll never forget the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach watching all those people trying to get away from the scene. And knowing there were people trapped alive in the midst of the horror was heart wrenching. It was like watching a science fiction movie, but knowing it was real. It’s hard to lose a loved one, but to lose one under conditions like this is unbearable. I live in Louisville, KY, and am a big fan of UofL football and basketball. Our basketball coach is Rick Petino. His brother-in-law, who was more like a brother to him, was working in the first Trade Center that was hit. He was killed and it devastated his family. Every year since, UofL has had a basketball tourney called the Billy Minardi Classic in his honor. I’m sure there are many other events out there that are held to keep alive the memories of other loved ones. I just happen to know about that one. It’s just so sad that we lost all of those people, young and old, rich and poor. People who could have made contributions to humanity, but now never will. Each one had someone who mourned them, and probably still does.
I pray they are with the Lord now, Lynne
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I had trashed at least a dozen files of a setting I was trying to write….”Kyrie Eleison.” They all seemed to be something I would never want to teach in my choral rehearsal. After the horrible events, I could not write music for a while, but when I was able to do so, my “Kyrie Eleison” was written in one day. I was reminded of the fact that music from the depths of my soul is likely the most authentic music I’ll ever write. It was also interesting that my healing began with the writing of Kyrie Eleison.
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