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For many of us old enough to remember the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, it’s hard to believe that attack happened 21 years ago. Most of us — at least those 30 and older — remember where we were and what we were doing when we first heard the news.

There’s a video that goes around on social media around this time each year, playing air traffic from that day and pictures and video from that horrific day. It includes conversations about what was happening on the planes — phone calls from people to their loved ones, telling them goodbye.

It’s hard to watch. It’s difficult not to tear up. 

Sept. 11 is the worst day our country has ever faced in most of our lifetimes. Some were alive for Pearl Harbor, and there are other terrible days (COVID-19 for instance), but the terrorist attacks of that day were a reminder that our country is far from invincible.

Those attacks reinforced the importance of a strong military and the men and women who work hard to ensure this sort of thing never happens on American soil again.

But we always like to remember that out of those terrible moments, something amazing also happened. We came together. Politics will always be a hot topic in America, but in 2001, we showed the world our strength as Americans. Our resiliency. 

We’d all been through this terrible thing together, and somehow, someway this country was going to rise above it. And we were going to do it while being thankful that we lived in the greatest country in the world.

As time goes on, historical events tend to lose their influence on society. 

People are born after they happen, only to learn about them second-hand from books or television. Newer events take their place in the spotlight, and even the memories of those who experienced things first-hand can fade.

It is said that those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. It’s amazing to think that many people driving today weren’t alive for the Sept. 11 attacks. They learned about them from documentaries and history books.

A lot changed that day. For instance, while inconvenient, downright annoying and lengthy, airport security should remain tightly guarded to ensure nothing like this ever happens again. 

We hope this weekend you’ll think about where you were that day. If you feel like sharing your story, we’d certainly be interested in hearing from you.