September 11

I join with friends from around the world who remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001. We remember the sadness and shock we felt as we began to contemplate the unfathomable costs in the form of lost lives, collapsed buildings, destroyed businesses, and we mourned the loss of safety and security. Every television and radio station spewed images and details of each horrific act. One plane, then another; one tower and then the next. We had no idea about what was to come next.

But we knew there was more to come, and it did. The Pentagon, Flight 93 went down when passengers revolt against the hijacker, and then we heard reports that its target was most likely the White House or the Capitol. Air space was completely shut down to all commercial traffic as we wondered if our ordinary lives could ever be normal again.  Thousands of families bore the intimate loss of loved ones and shared their loss with billions of people from around the globe.

Amid the stories of the lost and missing emerged miraculous accounts of bravery and heroism. First responders and everyday people put their lives and well being as second to friends, coworkers, and even complete strangers. Feelings of unity assuaged the burdened and painful hearts that struggled to answer the impossible questions of why.

In the absence of answers we did all we could to live. We dined out so that proceeds could be donated to relief, rescue, and recovery efforts. Countries from around the world, even those seen as rivals or enemies, sent messages of condolence and support. We lived in a moment of universal rejection of terrorist violence as a means of advancing a political will.

Shortly thereafter, the United States government chose to respond in a way that has cost us our good will with many of our closest allies and immediately alienated us from those rivals and foes. Eighteen years later, we remember, because we cannot forget. Now, when I pause to remember the events of that day and the weeks that followed, I am overwhelmed by the power of the united human family. I experienced similar feelings when I watched the manifestation of Soviet and American détente with the docking of the Apollo-Soyuz in 1975. It was a feeling of hope that true and enduring safety and peace was possible.

Today, as I remember, I extend my experience beyond a view that sees the attacks of September 11 as an attack on America. Those hijackers and terrorists attacked the world family when they attacked the World Trade Center and symbols of American freedom. I understand that people attack others because of misunderstandings, mistreatment, or a sense that without offensive action they will lose their power and control. I am confident that anger and mistrust lead those attackers down an evil and futile path. Their path always fails if we will but choose to live together and love each other as part of a big world human family.