9/11 is a time for remembrance and reflection

This month marks the tenth year since the Twin Towers and Pentagon were attacked and thousands of people were killed. No matter how old we were, no matter where we were, no matter our feelings about politics, previous events, or events afterward, we will always remember Sept. 11.

It is not just remembering that is important, however. Everyone should pay homage to those who lost their lives in the tragic events that occurred that day.

We, as a country, should be able to band together as a nation of one, as we did a decade ago. After the tragedies that occurred that day, a spark was lit in every American. People banded together to make it known that as Americans we are a proud people who believe in civil liberties.

Whether it was by performing services, raising money for the families of the deceased, or by joining the military, Americans all found a way to show their patriotism.

The important thing is that we never let those values die off. Although it’s been an entire decade since the Twin Towers came down, we all need to remember that there is still grieving. We cannot just write Sept. 11 off as another day on the calendar.

This week, there will be memorial events on campus. There will be two services, one at 11 a.m. Sunday and the second at 11 a.m. on Monday, both at the Flag Plaza on the Dean’s Green. Refreshments will be served after the event on Monday.

We hope that many will be able to make time to attend this solemn anniversary, and keep in mind just how much we have to be thankful for.

The economy may be putting strain on our finances, and the cost of living and tuition may be rising. Yet we must still remember how fortunate we are to live in a nation where we still have protections of our liberties, whether they be freedom of belief or unbelief, or freedom to choose to live one’s life the way one pleases. Paychecks and new gadgets come and go, but the Bill of Rights and our values of equality and charity are what make us strong.

This Sept. 11, remember and honor those who lost their lives that fateful day, and our troops who always fight for our liberties.