Photo Copyright © 2011
by Ralph F. Couey
Copyright ©2017
by Ralph F. Couey
"Time moves in one direction;
Memory in another."
--William Gibson
16 years ago, the calm beauty of a Tuesday morning was shattered by news reports that defied belief. Somehow, terrorists had taken control of four airliners and were flying them into buildings. First one tower of the World Trade Center, then the other tower, then the Pentagon across the Potomac from the nation's capitol. The fourth plane, probably targeting the U.S. Capitol building, was forced down over rural Pennsylvania when the surviving passengers and crew took the first offensive act of the Global War on Terror. Thousands died that day, along with the destruction of landmarks symbolic of America's government, military, and economy. There exists a persistent assertion that there may have been as many as four other teams whose attacks never occurred, mainly due to the exigencies of the U.S. air transportation system. Their flights were delayed until the FAA shut down the skies over America, thus they never got off the ground.
The attacks changed history. They changed America. They changed us. From that day on, time was divided into two periods: pre-9/11, and post-9/11. Every year since, Americans have commemorated the attacks with solemn ceremonies across the country, most usually involving the tolling of bells as the names of those who died that day are read. At first, a lot of attention was paid, not only through attendance, but watching on television, since all the networks, cable and others, carried the ceremonies live. It was a rare moment of unity shared by a people who have found themselves increasingly polarized.
Then there came a moment when the open wound of that experience closed. The scar remained however, something we would all gently touch every September 11th. As time has put increasing distance between that day and today, we have become less attentive to the anniversary. Solemn ceremonies are still held, but fewer people attend. The networks no longer air them live, choosing to briefly summarize them in a short slot between political news stories. Flags are still half-staffed, but when people see that, there is that moment of confusion, and then the "Oh....yeah." It leads me to the question, is 9/11 becoming just another day?
The Gibson quote with which I opened this post says a lot about human nature. One of the most familiar adages, "Time heals all wounds," has become so familiar that the original author has become almost lost to history. The earliest iteration seems to be the Greek dramatist Menander who coined the similar "Time is the healer of all necessary evils" some time around 320 BCE. It is more accurate perhaps to opine that the wound never really closes. Over time, we just get used to the pain.
Also at work is the impact of human generations. Now entering the high schools across the country are the first wave of those for whom 9/11 is history instead of memory. It will never be as personal for them as it was for us who watched as those horrific events unfolded before our eyes, in living color. For them to know...to feel what that day was like, they have to be taught by the rest of us. And to be honest there seems to be more interest in teaching them the evils of whatever political side their parents and educators aren't on than about that moment when our differences dissolved and we all stood as one. That kinda makes sense. For those of us who were awake and aware on that day, we really needed those commemorations; it was a part of our healing, a shared catharsis. For the young, they don't feel that they need ceremonies for an event for which they have no personal involvement.
Time has put distance between now and then, and therefore, the urgency and heartache we felt has lessened. It is probable that in time, September 11th will become like December 7th; just another day. There is a kind of sadness in that realization. But it is also important to remember that the enemies who perpetrated those attacks, and would like nothing better than to repeat them, 9/11 is day of celebration. And perhaps, just perhaps, when they see that it just doesn't matter that much to us they may realize that while they scared us, wounded us, and for a time, united us in a righteous anger, they see that the attacks didn't really change us. We still live our lives free to determine our own personal destiny. If we have dreams, and the will and stamina to make them happen, there's no grim Jihadi standing in our way. Our economy not only recovered, but managed to survive an even nastier shock imposed by the banking terrorists in 2008. Terrorism, or even the threat of terrorist attacks, doesn't dominate the news, or our discussions around the water cooler or over the back fence. Yes, getting on an airliner is still a ripe old pain in the ass, but it is something we are used to now, kind of like a limp we've had for so long we are no longer consciously aware of it.
However, I wonder about the people who lost friends and loved ones that day, who parted with that perfunctory wave or quick peck on the lips, not knowing that it would be the last moment together. Do they still wake up on September 11th feeling sadness and a sense of loss? Do they still weep on this day over the memories? As mundane as it has become for us, will they ever really truly know peace?
As time continues to pass, the memory of 9/11 will become even more faded and indistinct. There might come a year when no ceremonies are held, no bells toll, no names are read and the most horrific day of this generation becomes just a minor footnote in a college history course. I think it means for us to decide just how important the events of 2001 are, and how much we feel the need to remember.
The honest answer to those ruminations will, I think, say more about us than we will ever want to admit. But for now, we will remember the attacks. We will remember the names. We will remember the countless acts of courage and sacrifice by those who tried to help. It is a duty, I think, for us to remember.
And a solemn promise to the ages that whatever happens, we will never forget.
No comments:
Post a Comment