September 11, 2001 Less We Forget

In preparing the list of dates for this blog, there was never a question what event would be the topic for this date. Unlike most of the posts, this one is more my own thoughts and memories, more of an editorial than a report.

Political Cartoon, September 2016

Looking back to 9/11/2001, I recall hearing the news while at the Credit Union in Ithaca. I was scheduled to help with the primary at the Old Town hall. When the primary was closed in the early afternoon, I went home to watch the live coverage and to wait to hear from family members. Sonja was in high school, Nicole at Mansfield, PA, Chris at work and already in the fire department, and Everett at the hospital.

The songs, the stories, the pictures of the day and events remain in our memories, but do they also fade with time? Does the more recent critical issue press them to the back of the mind to be recalled each year as 9/11 approaches? We gather on Main Street in Ovid to march, or ride, or watch the silent parade; no blowing sirens or horns, no candy being tossed, just long lines of fire department equipment and uniformed fire fighters. At the end of the speeches, the laying of a wreath and the candle lighting ceremony we say, “Yes we remember and won’t forget.”

Photo by Karen Haas Nelson

As adults, we are sharing the past with the next generation, just as our parents taught us to remember years ago about Armistice Day, Pearl Harbor, and D-Day.

The photographic images from the three sites still stir the memories. The graphic images that appear on Facebook or other online sites and the notices for memorial events also stir our consciences.

In writing an essay, Sonja reflected on 9-11 and words from President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. In her essay, she noted how his words still applied in 2001. 

The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion-that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain-that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom-and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.  [quote from President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1863]

Those words are as true today for each anniversary of the events that changed history as they were on November 19, 1863 when Lincoln first spoke them.

Dewitt’s Diary, Friday, September 11, 1981

Temperature 50. 

A nice day for a change.

Picked 35 dozen of sweet corn for the Interlaken Firemen.

Mowed over some wheat stubble.

Dug 12 crates of Vicking potatoes.