BY: RACHEL WUMKES
As we wrap up another great, albeit soggy, week at the Lake, it seems my normal Feel Good Friday post has fallen on Patriot Day. It is on today, that we remember the attacks of September 11th and all the lives that were lost. This year it hits a little harder than others. Maybe because of COVID?
Honestly, I think it’s because many of us have forgotten.
To help us remember, the CLFD will host a 9/11 Memorial event today, “NEVER FORGET.” The event will take place from 6:30 – 7:30PM outside the Clear Lake Fire station at the World Trade Center Memorial Steel, and will include music by the Clear Lake High School Band, a flag raising ceremony, placement of the helmets ceremony, and a guest speaker.
In an uncertain and uneasy World, it’s easy to get bogged down with the stresses and anxiety of life. To sit behind a computer screen and spew hatred from your keyboard at people you don’t even know. At teachers, at school districts, at Republicans and Democrats. It’s easy to get swallowed up in the waves of hate that seem to be crashing into our shores lately.
Many Americans take to social media on this day, posting photos and video clips. The phrase “never forget” is typed by thousands of people, which stirs a bit of confusion in me.
Sandy Dahl, the wife of flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl, is quoted as saying, “If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.”
Have we though? Have we learned that lesson? Because after the shock and horror of the attacks wore off, I remember a Country filled with love and patriotism for weeks and months afterwards. I remember a Country who pulled together, who flew the American flag with pride. I remember watching news stories of heroes who ran into burning buildings to save people they’d never met. At the time I would have said, yes, we learned our lesson.
But time is a funny thing, and as it keeps moving forward, we tend to forget. We forget about how it felt to have our Country attacked so viciously and violently. We forget about how we hugged our neighbor, our co-worker, or our classmates as we watched the 2nd plane crash into the tower. We forget how it felt to feel so insecure and scared, wondering what else will be attacked?
So today when you scroll through social media… I encourage you to remember. Really remember.
Remember how it felt to be banded together.
United.
Because, as Sandy Dahl said, life is short and there is no time for hate.