It’s me again, watching every replay of September 11, 2001.
So many want to forget or repress the memories of that day, yet I hold fast to the belief that we need to remember every moment. We need to recall the shock, angst, and fear. We need to rekindle our patriotism, unity and strength.
I was working in the most populated office building in the financial district of Boston, a building with two towers: International Place.
My father was in training, a course taking place at the drill tower location in our town, taught by the sister of FDNY firefighters who was called home immediately upon the attack.
I couldn’t get a line out of the building. He couldn’t get a call through to me. All lines were busy.
There was mayhem in the building as we evacuated. Countless people frazzled, concerned, visibly upset. Colleagues in the NYC World Trade Center on business. Family members or friends working in those NYC towers.
Had it been Boston, it would have been us.
It was such a beautiful day. A Tuesday. Clear skies, lovely temperatures. The kind of day when you simply felt good about life – until 8:45 am ET.
I will never forget the faces of each person I passed on the street, or stood next to on the T. It’s just something you don’t forget.
And I refused to stay home the next day. I was compelled to be in the city, a commitment to the spirit, strength, and unity our nation needed.
As I watched the replays tonight, one recurring theme spoke loudly to me.
“We were desperate to find any sign of life. To save anyone we could.”
On September 11, 2022, may we adopt that mission. It’s not about black or white, straight or gay, male or female. It’s not about political party, liberal or conservative viewpoints.
It’s about humanity – compassion, tolerance, love.
It’s about saving lives, without care about anything more than – they’re human beings.
Be Pat Brown. Be Todd Beamer. Be a patriot.
Never forget, and live each day as if it’s September 12, 2001.
