A date which will live in infamy...

Disclaimer: This is a long post. The longest one yet (and this disclaimer makes it even longer!) If you’re a little dissuaded from reading today because of the length, do me a favor and stick with me today. After all, as a friend reminded me, you’re not amateur procrastinators. You’re professionals. You can handle it. Additionally, this post is not happy, or funny. It’s easily the most seriously post I’ve ever written. But it’s important to me, as it should be important to all of us.

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“Yesterday… a date which will live in infamy.” While these words were spoken by an American President on December 8th 1941 (thanks for pointing out my error, anonymous reader!), they just have easily could have been spoken by the American President on September 12th 2001. September 11th 2001 truly was a day that will live in infamy. It was a day that brought together an entire generation of Americans. It’s our Pearl Harbor, our Sputnik, our Kennedy assassination. A USA Today poll found that more than two thirds of Americans view 9/11 as the most memorable news event of their lifetime, and you would be hard pressed to find anyone over the age of 20 who can’t tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing on that fateful morning when the news first broke. Personally, I remember nearly every detail of that day as if was only a year ago, as opposed to eight. I remember hearing the first reports that it was an accident; probably a small plane. I remember looking outside and thinking, how could a plane accidentally fly into a building that big on a day this clear? Then the second tower was hit, followed by the Pentagon, and I very vividly remember thinking, “The shit. Has hit. The fan.” Just like that – as silly as it may look in print.

As articulate as my recollected thought may have been, I truly love language and words. While it would be fitting to describe the day as infamous, perhaps a more fitting word is transformative. How much did the nation change after 9/11? Everything from our national security, to the way airports are run, or even the way we now can’t help but to look suspiciously at an Arab on an airplane. Transformed. I’ve studied the Middle East and don’t have an ounce of prejudice towards Arabs, but if I’ve thought like this (and I’m not proud to admit that I have), I guarantee I’m not the only one. Above and beyond social changes, can you put a figure for the number of lives that were changed because of that one day? Take me for example. While I always had an interest in politics and the ways of the world, 9/11 pushed me towards national service. I decided that I wanted to join the intelligence community somehow, or work for the government, and chose my college major because of this. I learned about the Middle East and Islam, and regardless of what I end up doing with my life I think I’m a much more well rounded and worldly person because of it. When I couldn’t find a job in government service after graduation, I decided to join the National Guard. Soon enough I’ll be heading off to the Middle East for my own tour of duty. My life – transformed. All this because of one day eight years ago.

Now forget about me, and forget about the victims, but rather think of their families. Children of 9/11 victims are now eight years old, and have never known their fathers. Others were perhaps newborns and have never really known their mothers. Thousands of families will never be the same. Transformed. Now consider the soldiers. We can discuss politics all you want, but 9/11 was the catalyst for sending our troops to Asia. According to the Washington Post, as of this morning 5,130 soldiers have died in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those thousands of families have dramatically and tragically changed forever. Countless more families will never be the same because of PTSD, or effects of various injuries. Transformed. When you start to break it down like this, you quickly realize that the number of lives changed is not in the thousands of deaths that make the paper, but in the millions surrounding them.

Because of the countless people affected because of that one day, September 11th is a day that needs to be remembered always. But before we get into the long term, let’s try this week first. Let’s start with today. First of all, thank someone today who gives of their time and talents to help make you safer. Find a soldier, or a fireman, or a police officer. Thank them for their service. Believe me, they’ll appreciate it. Additionally, remember that last year the President made 9/11 a National Day of Service. As I’ve already noted in this space, I promote doing things for your fellow man year round, but today in particular you should get out there and do something, with the millions of people affected by 9/11 in mind. Donate blood, give clothes to good will, buy somebody a cup of coffee…you get the idea.

Now let’s look long term. While I don’t want to get too self-righteous, I find it absolutely heinous that a Ground Zero memorial has not been completed. Or hell, even really started. I did some research online today as to how this can possibly be true. Politics, a shrinking economy, soaring costs and raw emotions have all been listed as delaying progress on its development. Are you kidding me? The economy was doing just fine four years ago. Why wasn’t more progress made before the bubble burst? Better yet, even now in a struggling economy, you mean to tell me that you can’t find enough private donors to at least get a respectable memorial in place? Somewhere that New Yorkers and family members can go to remember the event? It actually makes me angry. I understand that many companies who had their headquarters in the towers sustained massive financial setbacks and are probably now still struggling because of the current financial crisis, but am I to believe that they wouldn’t be willing to make donations to help memorialize their fallen employees and coworkers? Mother Teresa once said, “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” Those who have the means should remember this, especially today, and figure out a way to make the memorial a reality.

I’ve spent enough time on my soap box, and for those of you that are still with me 1100+ words later, I appreciate your attention. Just remember why today needs to remain important. Never forget.

Now get back to work, crazy.



“We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail.” – George W. Bush.