Marking the 10th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks on our country, Grand Rapids offered a moving and profound tribute to the fallen on that fateful day. Hundreds of volunteers assembled over 3200 flags, each flag representing a person who lost there lives on September 11, 2001. In addition, tied to each flag pole was the name of the person honored, birth date, and a brief statement about the person. These statements seemed to be written by family members or friends as some were deeply personal. It brought home to me about the suffering and loss experienced by those most closely touched by the attack, as we were somewhat insulated here in West Michigan some 700 miles away. I say somewhat insulated. If you had loved ones or someone you knew, even just by acquaintance, a day of remembering brings more emotion to the surface. But here in West Michigan, we could not see the smoke of the towers. We could not smell the heavy polluted air. Those who live in and around New York City, remember that day in a way that we in West Michigan simply cannot. So for me, that solemn memorial on the hills of Cannonsburg Ski Area, awakened a fresh reality of the day and a renewed appreciation and gratitude for the men and women who rushed into the towers, willingly, giving of their very lives to rescue and save others. A fitting and special recognition was given to these fallen heroes at the memorial.
I was proud of my country as I experienced this memorial. I was proud of my fellow citizens, first responders, emergency and military personal who lost there lives on that day. I was proud of my town, for caring enough to erect this memorial.
There is a time that we move on from these tragic events. I would expect, that we will see less remembering as the years go by. But how tragic to let it become so unfamiliar that we cease to mark or remember that day at all.
