Legislation has been introduced in Trenton that would make Sept. 11 a state holiday known as Heroes’ Day.
By:
While it might be a patriotic and well-meaning gesture, it is completely unnecessary, and perhaps even inappropriate.
The events of Sept. 11 were tragic, and residents of New Jersey were hit hard, particularly by the attacks at the World Trade Center. Linda Colon of Millstone Township, for example, was among those lost in the Twin Towers, as were dozens of other residents from Central Jersey.
Certainly, the actions of those who responded to the attacks were heroic whether they be Cranbury’s Todd Beamer, who fought terrorists aboard United Airlines Flight 93, or the numerous local emergency and rescue personnel who traveled to Manhattan to search for survivors there.
Remembering those who lost their lives, as well as those who responded to the new war on terror, is a good idea. Setting aside a holiday for it, however, is not. There already exist days, as we have seen from our Memorial Day and Independence Day celebrations, at which time feelings related to Sept. 11 can be expressed. Considering that the death toll was so much lower than anticipated fewer than 3,000 people are dead or missing rather than a figure in excess of 10,000 even Thanksgiving Day could be a time for reflection.
The events of Sept. 11 have been most likened to Dec. 7, 1941, when 2,403 people lost their lives in the attack on Pearl Harbor, sending America into World War II. No holiday exists commemorating that event, but it never has been forgotten. Furthermore, what if another attack occurs in the future? Do all terrorist attacks become eligible to result in holidays?
In addition, giving Sept. 11 holiday status would leave it open to being trivialized. There are Memorial Day sales and barbecues; what will prevent the same from happening to Sept. 11? Perhaps it would replace Labor Day as the "unofficial end of summer." There are plenty of retailers who would like to see summer extended another week. And how awkward would it be if Sept. 11 were "observed" on some convenient Monday to give us a three-day weekend?
Currently, there are 13 state holidays New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lincoln’s Birthday, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Election Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. There is no need to create another. A moment of silence, or other heartfelt remembrances, would be better.
The events of Sept. 11 do not need a special designation to remain seared in our memories forever.