Remembering September 11, 2001. That day scarred a generation and changed our country forever. In a blink, so many things changed. On that day, and for many days after, we were ‘ONE nation under God.’ We were all Americans. Homes and businesses flew flags, banners of unity and solidarity. No politics. Our nation responded as one. History shows us that more often than not, the immediate impact of a crisis is unity. And America is nothing if not mighty in crisis. Unity is powerful, and essential to success in our homes, in our companies, and in our nation. United we stand, divided we fall. That day our country stood united.
So, it’s been 16 years now, and the unfortunate reality is that unity can erode over time. Our children have grown up in a different place. The world of ‘us’ and ‘them’, polarized politics, justified hate, intolerance to ideas, and an unwillingness to talk to each other. We have become suspicious of our neighbors. We used to know who our enemy was. Are we still united? Can’t we disagree and still stand together? Much has taken place in those 16 years, but isn’t there still much more that remains the same?
Today, as we honor the lives of the brave men and women who died that day, and those who fight daily to preserve their sacrifice and memory; let’s take a step closer to one another. Maybe we can find our way back to that place of unity.