Fourteen years ago our country suffered through one on of the most tragic events in history. On September 11, 2001 four coordinated suicide attacks targeted symbolic United States landmarks. The terrorists who planned the attack were aiming for the North and South towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia and in Washington, D.C.
As the years go by it seems that more and more people are treating September 11 as just another day. Students are forgetting about it and professors aren’t taking the time to remind them about one of the saddest days in America’s history. Stonehill held a moment of silence in the Chapel of Mary that only five people attended last Friday. Many professors did not even participate, continuing on with their class as if it was just a regular day, which is absurd. There is no excuse for not taking one minute out of the day to remember those affected by this tragedy.
The weight of this horrific tragedy is not something to be taken lightly; nearly three thousand men and women lost their lives in the attack. However, like many days of remembrance, we are often apt to lose touch with its grim and sobering realness. The truth is, whether you were affected by the atrocious acts of September 11th or not, it still happened, and those who lost their lives or were affected by it deserve a mountain of respect. It left a mark on America and its history that can still be seen today, fourteen years later. So, when it really comes down to it, is it really so hard to take a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives in that heinous and undeserved catastrophe? Whether you were personally moved by it or not, a certain level of empathy and respect for those that were is a monumental part of citizenship as an American. Because when push comes to shove, our ability to unify as one and be strong in spirit is something that those terrorists will never be able to take away from us.