Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the most significant terrorist attack on American soil, a day etched into the collective memory of our nation. On September 11, 2001, we watched in disbelief as the Twin Towers crumbled, a plane struck the Pentagon, and Flight 93, with brave passengers on board, plummeted to the earth. These tragic events shook our nation to its core, but they also revealed the indomitable spirit and unity of the American people.
Coming Together in Crisis:
Amidst the horror and chaos of that fateful day, something extraordinary happened. People from all walks of life and corners of the country came together to offer their assistance. Strangers became heroes as they rushed to the disaster areas, risking their own safety to save lives and provide support. The tragedy forced us to confront our own mortality and reevaluate our priorities.
Rediscovering Faith and Family:
In the wake of 9/11, many turned to faith for solace and understanding. Houses of worship saw an influx of people seeking comfort and guidance. Families, separated by time and distance, reached out to one another, not just to check on their well-being in affected areas but also as a profound reminder of the fragility of life.
The Divisions That Have Emerged:
Over the past 22 years, our nation has weathered many storms. However, we’ve also witnessed a troubling trend of division and discord. Our differences have taken center stage, overshadowing our commonalities. It’s time to remember the unity we once found in the face of adversity.
Seeking Common Ground:
We may not always agree on the path forward, but we must remember that we all want the same thing: a better future for our nation. It’s crucial to set aside our differences and engage in constructive dialogue. We should return to the table, identify our shared goals, and work together to find common ground.
A Nation Under God:
In a nation as diverse as ours, we must cherish the values that unite us. It’s time to put aside division and embrace cooperation. Together, we can ensure that the sacrifices made on 9/11 were not in vain, and we can build a brighter future for all Americans. United we stand, divided we fall—let’s choose unity.
The idea of America being a Christian nation is a topic of debate. However, if we truly believe that we are one nation under God, then we should have no trouble finding ways to compromise for the greater good. A house divided cannot stand, and it is our duty to ensure our nation remains united and strong.
As we commemorate the 22nd anniversary of 9/11, let us not only remember the lives lost and the bravery displayed that day but also the unity and resilience of the American people. We should never forget the lessons we learned on that fateful day, lessons of coming together in times of crisis, rediscovering our faith and family bonds, and seeking common ground despite our differences.
first birthday in Puerto Rico and the following 28 as well. If you don’t know this, Puerto Rico is an island in the Caribbean, where snow is only seen on television. I did see snow before I moved to Atlanta. I think my most vivid memory of snow was when I was eight or nine. My brother lived in Maine by a lake. My mother and I went to ring the New Year with his family and there was snow, oh there was snow!
Meteorology in Atlanta is a game of Russian roulette. They will tell you that it will rain, and you find yourself with a pretty sunny day. They tell you that it will be beautiful outside, and you get soaked. So, when I saw that the forecast was announcing snow mixed with rain, I figured I would see a few paper towel dust flurries, rain and move on. To my surprise it started snowing. I ran outside to take a video of it to make sure that I captured the few flurries that were to come.
ice. This is where a little bit of anxiety kicked in, forget the store, will I be able to get the car back up? I opened the garage door that was now closed. Between the gas pedal and my very good breaks, I was able to get the car back up the hill. I closed the garage door and said to myself, “You know what? I really didn’t want hot cocoa after all, what I really want is some tea and I have plenty inside”
Remember that regardless of the circumstances, there are immediately two families destroyed that had NOTHING to do with the incident; the shooter’s family and the family of the one who was shot. Let cool heads prevail. Let’s pray for the families that are going through the worst time of their lives. Let’s embrace each other instead of fighting each other over the smallest detail. It’s time to mourn together as the human race, because we have lost plenty in the last few days.
Naty Matos 