For this one day, let us stand together.
Democrats, Republicans, conservatives, liberals, young, old, rich and poor, native born and naturalized citizens — every American of every stripe, every race and gender, every religion and creed — let's stand as one.
If we can't last the entire day — then at least let's spend a moment reflecting together on the values and heritage we hold in common.
If you're up early today, 5:46 a.m. would be an appropriate time to reflect on what it means to be an American.
Eight years ago at that time (8:46 a.m. on the East Coast), terrorists turned American Airlines Flight 11 out of Boston into a deadly missile, crashing it into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
Thus began one of the bleakest days in our nation's history.
In all, 2,975 people were killed when four hijacked jets crashed — two into the World Trade Center's twin towers, one into the Pentagon and a fourth into a Pennsylvania pasture.
As Americans, this sorrowful anniversary is a time to remember the fallen — the heroes and the innocents.
Some 343 firefighters and paramedics and 60 law enforcement officials were among the dead in New York. Among the victims are thousands of survivors — widows and widowers, children who lost a mother or father.
Not every victim was an American. New York is an international city, and the dead included citizens of 115 nations.
To read the complete editorial, visit The Tri-City Herald.
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