Never Forget

It was a normal day for fifth grade Brayden.  My fifth-grade teacher was one of those memorable educators.  Mr. Adams was equal parts kind and disciplinarian, stern and patient.  To this day, still one of my favorite teachers.

I remember little else from that day. 

What I do remember was this:

In class that day, first thing in the morning a square tv was brought in on a stand.  Kids today likely can’t picture what I’m describing.  Yes, the tv was square, and it was wheeled in on a stand. 

“Yay!” The class shouted.  What a treat!  A movie this early in the day?  The surprise and joy were nearly overwhelming for a class of 10- and 11-year-olds

Yet something was different.  All classrooms from K-12 know the excitement of a tv being wheeled in.  Even the teacher showed pleasure on these special days.  A well-earned break.  A day off on a technicality. 

Something was different.  As Mr. Adams wheeled in the television and plugged it in, there was no joy.  He was oddly somber.  Remember, disciplinarian, stern, never somber. 

What was happening?

Mr. Adams turned to us.  He was grave, and he was serious.

He told us that this was a day we would never forget.  Interesting that’s the most vivid memory from that day: Mr. Adams telling me I would never forget this day.

20 years later I remember those moments.

He turned on the television to some news station and our 5^th grade class watched the worst ever attack on American soil.

Never forget.  But have we?

As opinions run rampant, protests get violent, arguments over masks, arguments over vaccines, arguments over Texas, fighting, arguing, contention, hatred. 

Beth and I watched a 6-episode documentary titled, 9/11 One Day in America.  This documentary was extraordinarily well done.  Viewers be warned.  It is deep, dark, and heavy.  Just as that day was deep, dark, and heavy.  A tragic day in American history. 

Some things struck me as I watched:  teamwork, bravery, compassion, love.  This documentary was filled with extraordinary examples of selfless service to others in danger.  It occurred to me, a New Yorker that might have bumped someone out of the way for a taxi was hours later putting their life in danger for a stranger in a stairwell.

I hope we never forget that day.  I wish it didn’t take a tragedy to unite a country.  Unfortunately, the pride cycle is real.  We couldn’t be more divided now.  Maybe if we truly remember, feel, and consider the unity that existed during and immediately after 9/11, we can reclaim that love for our fellow man. 

That is my prayer for our country.

Never Forget.