The nation’s true character

The country just commemorated the 15th anniversary of the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.

That, of course, was when America was rocked by multiple tragedies. The iconic Twin Towers in New York City were destroyed when two hijacked commercial jetliners crashed into them. The Pentagon was struck by a third jetliner, and a fourth hijacked jet crashed into a field in Pennsylvania after passengers tried to retake the plane and prevent it from destroying another target.

Images abound of the attacks.

In New York, people are seen jumping from the towers to escape the flames. The burning towers and their ultimate collapse are recorded, so are the planes crashing into them. As dramatic are the images of civilians running from the enormous cloud of dust and debris as it swept from ground zero down city streets.

The images will show forever the destruction and devastation.

The other side of the event can also be seen.

A man desperately trying to escape the oncoming cloud stops and helps another man covered in dust who had fallen to his hands and knees, apparently unable to get up. A woman declares she was not seeing the buildings but all the people inside them and all the children who would be without parents that night.

Amid the recorded yells for help and the exclamations of horror, citizens help carry and support those too injured or exhausted to help themselves. Strangers comfort strangers. Water and cell phones are shared freely. Police and fire crews staunchly head into the devastation against the flow of civilians running for their lives.

Countless acts of bravery and countless acts of compassion marked the day.

The images tell us a lot.

They declare that the world is a dangerous place, and some seek to do us harm.

They also, and more importantly, declare that Americans have the strength, courage and fortitude to face unimaginable horrors and see beyond themselves to others. Many–both civilian and official–showed selfless bravery and empathy. Thousands revealed the nation’s true character.

Commemorating September 11, 2001, should not be for reliving the horrors of the day, but for remembering what Americans are capable of and the strength, courage and selflessness they are not often called upon to show.

Out of the tragedy of that day grew a united nation, one with forgotten separations and divisions.

We can be that people again. We should not need terrorists to bring it out of us.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher