The Crow's Nest: Remembering 9/11

Editorial cartoon by Joe Heller. The cartoon at right was drawn by editorial cartoonist Joe Heller in the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on our country. I remember 9/11 like it was yesterday, as I suspect many gentle readers do. I was a college student at Minnesota State University Moorhead and had just finished an 8 a.m. class that morning when the news came over the airwaves. As I walked by the recreation area in the student union, I caught a glimpse of one of the Twin Towers imploding on one of the TV's. I stopped and watched the news report for a good 5 minutes, in utter shock and disbelief. Just days prior to the attacks, I had learned that I would be flying to San Diego in the spring to represent MSUM's Public Relations Student Society of America chapter at national convention. I remember having the conversation about safe travel with my boyfriend, who is now my husband of 20-plus years, prior to the attacks, as he was concerned. The scenes of hijacked planes crashing and the Twin Towers in flames, coupled with the many harrowing accounts from survivors and first responders, put him even more on edge. Meanwhile, former Independent publisher Allen V. Stock and his family were preparing for a wedding when the attacks happened. In his column published on Sept. 17, 2001, he wrote, "This week was supposed to be a happy week for me and my family. My son will marry his longtime young lady friend come Saturday. The wedding will happen, but thoughts of last Tuesday are certain to have taken some of the richness out of the occasion we come to call love ... It's been a sad few days in our United States of America. Let's hope and pray that it won't happen again." Now, a quarter century later, an estimated 100 million Americans are too young to remember the day that changed this nation forever. That means it's up to us to keep that memory alive. As posted on the website of The National September 11 Memorial & Museum in lower Manhattan, 911memorial.org, "It is our shared promise – made 25 years ago – to never forget so those born after 9/11 learn its significance and enduring legacy. As we commemorate this anniversary, a new generation will learn about the unimaginable loss we experienced and the inspiring stories of bravery, compassion, unity, and service that we witnessed, and have rippled through the decades." Readers, please tell your children and other young people your story. Where were you on 9/11 and how were you and others close to you directly affected by this tragedy? Share with them the history of 9/11 and our country's response in the aftermath. There will be much opportunity to do so this week as we reach the 25 year mark. A nationwide observance is planned for September 11, featuring a commemorative ceremony and live broadcast coverage. Most notably, the families of victims will gather on the 9/11 Memorial Plaza to read aloud the names of the 2,983 men, women and children killed in the September 11, 2001 attacks and February 26, 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. Six moments of silence will mark the times when each of the World Trade Center towers was struck, when each tower fell and the times corresponding to the attack at the Pentagon, and the crash of United Airlines Flight 93 in Pennsylvania. A seventh moment of silence honoring those lost to 9/11 health effects will be observed following the reading of the names. Beginning at 8 p.m. ET that evening, Disney and its affiliates, in partnership with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, will air "9/11 Tribute in Light: Live from Lower Manhattan," a first-of-its-kind broadcast commemorating the 25th anniversary of the attacks. This prime time event will be available to view across ABC, Disney+, Hulu, National Geographic, ABC-owned television stations' livestreams and ABC News Live. There are also many books written for readers of all ages. You'll find a list of age-appropriate titles, as well as a wealth of information, on the 9/11 Museum's website, 911memorial.org. As Americans who witnessed 9/11, it's ingrained in us to "Never Forget." And forget we will not.