We Shall Never Forget
As I sit down to write this reflection, I am mindful that this week we will mark the 22nd anniversary of the tragedy of 9/11. Today I share with all of you in living out the rally cry, “WE SHALL NEVER FORGET.
In the first days after the Sept. 11 attacks, a team of scholars around the country set out to capture the moment’s “flashbulb” memories: the vivid, enduring mental snapshots formed at the instant of historical import, such as the bombing of Pearl Harbor or the assassination of John F. Kennedy. They asked the question, “where were you on 9/11?”.
For me, I was at serving as a Pastor at Mt. Carmel Church in Tempe as I watched in such sadness this story unfolds in front of all our very eyes. I remember so vividly feeling so helpless and looking to find answers for so many who were asking, “WHY”?
I was given the responsibility to talk to a young student at the school, whose father was the believed killed in the attack that day. I also remember how within a few hours the church was filled with people from every race, color and creed coming together to stand strong in support of one another. We asked God to shower his healing love down upon us and to end the fighting and discrimination. We needed peace to rule our lives and the cry of the Gospel became so much more that day.
The tragedy of 9/11 took the lives of 2977 men, women, and children from the Twin Towers in New York, those killed at the Pentagon and those heroes on Flight 93. We also remember our first responders, the firefighters and police who ran into harms way to try and save lives; they gave the ultimate sacrifice. Again, WE SHALL NEVER FORGET.
Since 9/11 so many years ago, there has been a tradition of the “Healing Field” at Tempe Town Lake. An American Flag is placed with the names of those that died that day. Every year I spend time with my family walking through the flags and with tears of hope in my eyes, praying my children will never have see such a tragedy again.
I am thankful that we as a nation have kept this promise alive that we shall NEVER FORGET. I am thankful for the faith that we share that asks us to recall that we remember what our Lord asks us to do, and that is to bring healing and forgiveness so that His love can be made known.
We have a long way to go to bring peace to this world, but I know if we NEVER FORGET, our words and actions can bring about change for the good with one simple act of love every day.
Where were you on 9/11? Will you join me in making sure that we never forget and let us work on bringing healing to our world.