Blog Post #18: September 12, 2022 ‘Always Remember’

Raise your hand if you remember where you were when the tragedies of 9-11 happened. I remember it as if it were yesterday. I was in my weekly Tuesday manager meeting. We came out of the conference room, and the world had been turned upside down. In the hours and days to come, my office building in Orlando Florida received multiple bomb threats.

Yesterday, driving home I saw a billboard that said, ‘We will never forget’. I was there. I will never forget. But my children were not. My nieces were not. I must continue to remind them of how many Americans lost their lives that day. It brought us together as a country for a common cause. Since then, we’ve allowed many things to separate us. We need to always remember that we strive for a common goal. We all want the best for our country, our children, and our world. And while we don’t always agree on how to get there, I truly believe that we share purpose. There are ways to collaborate, compromise, and continue to improve, as one, unified. But we must come into the conversation with a common mindset, prepared to listen and adapt, not judge and point fingers. We must always remember.

We must always thank those who agree to live on the front lines. Law enforcement, firefighters, military, health care professionals, and countless others who put others first for the greater good. We must always remember. We must each do our part.

We can all be someone’s hero. Choose to do good for others, no matter their skin color, sexual preference, gender identity, religious beliefs, or political position. There will always be things that can divide us if we let them. Let’s choose not to let them. Give a small token to your neighbor, the cranky guy at the gas station, the mom with 3 rowdy kids. Show your fellow American that you are here for them, and that you choose to be unified no matter what. Choose to be safe and strong and unified. Choose to be someone’s hero.

Take a moment to remember. Take a moment to share your memory with your children and others who were not there. Take a moment to be an example to all, of the unity that we can achieve when we choose.

PHOTOS: Remembering 9/11 Photos | Image #11 – ABC News (go.com)