September 11, 2025

 

Photo taken atop of the Wilderness Lodge, 9/11/01

There are days that will not (and should not) be forgotten.  December 7th, November 22nd, January 6th and of course today, September 11th.

If you were alive when these tragic events occurred, most likely you remember where you were and what you were doing on that day.  You probably have strong memories of the day.  I know I have written much about where I was on September 11, 2001 (Walt Disney World), what I was doing that morning (raising the flags on the top of the Wilderness Lodge and then having breakfast at the Whispering Canyon Cafe before heading to the Magic Kingdom) and what happened afterwards (being evacuated from the parks and spending the rest of the day trying to understand what was happening in our world.)

As I often do, I went for a walk this morning.  I specifically went "downtown" to pass the civic center where I knew the green would be filled with little flags; each one denoting a person who perished 24 years ago today.  The display, so lovely, aligned and arranged by volunteers year after year, never fails to move me.  For me it is not just a reminder of those who perished that day, but of those who died years after as a result of toxins and debris that  filled the air.  I think of "R," a member of my church, a first responder, who developed cancer and died several years later.    Don't we all know someone who died or whose health was impacted by that dreadful day?  On this day, every year, isn't the pain of the loss just as acute as it was when it happened?  Have we managed to move on?  Will we ever be able to?

As I walked by, I noticed some trash had blown (I'm assuming that) in between the flags.  I walked over and picked it up, disposing of it in a nearby trash can.  On my way back, I saw that one of the flags had fallen over and I put it back as best I could so that it aligned with all the others.  Then when walking past the permanent memorial area, I noticed an empty ice cream cup and plastic spoon on a nearby bench.  I picked them up and put them in a trash can.

I don't say this to make myself out to be some sort of trash fairy, but to point out that we can all do simple acts to make the world a better place.  I know, I can hear you sigh, Bfth, picking up some trash is NOT making the world a better place.  But isn't it?  I think of the people who will go to the service at the civic center today, don't they deserve to sit on a bench with no trash?  Aren't I showing respect to those who are no longer with us by doing my part, no matter how small?  (And yes, I do know how miniscule my kindness was.)

One of the things we may have forgotten over the past 24 years, is how kind people were in the aftermath. How people cared for each other.  It didn't matter what political party they were affiliated with.  For the most part, it didn't matter what we looked like or who we were.  We were united.  We supported one another.

In the ensuing decades that unity has eroded.  We've forgotten the most important lesson that 9/11 has taught us, that TOGETHER we can do great things.  We need to remember that each and every one of us is built from the same building blocks.  (Thank you DNA.)  As the old saying (song) goes:  United we stand; divided we fall.  And we have fallen.  However, we don't have to continue to do so.  For a start, we need to work TOGETHER.  We need to be open and honest.  Then perhaps we can find solutions to issues and problems.  Who knows maybe we can even help prevent school shootings like the one that happened at Evergreen High School yesterday.  (Yes there was yet another school shooting; a story which got buried due to an assassination...what does that say about our country and our world?)

Remember 9/11.  Reflect on 9/11.  And return to the compassion, caring and kindness that (sadly) came about on 9/12.

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