It is hard to believe that it has been 14 years since the terrorist attacks on the United States at the World Trade Center, on United Flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon. Nearly 3,000 people, including civilians, flight crews, police officers and firemen, died that day in these vicious attacks.
Each year on Sept. 11, it seems as if it just happened as we listen to the reading of the names of those who perished and see the faces of the families who suffered such a great loss. To those families, it may always feel like those traumatic events happened just yesterday.
As Americans, we, too, were a family that suffered that day. Our “family” had always felt safe, but that day changed the world forever. That day and in the days following, all citizens pulled together to show their support. This was a way to show that we were not defeated and that we would make our nation safe again by standing together, not by reacting with hate and anger.
It’s sad that in some parts of the world, and maybe even here, people are taught to hate those who are different because of the color of their skin, religious beliefs or their nationality. We need to recognize that any reason for hatred is not a valid one. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” As citizens, we must always stand together in the face of adversity.
Each year, Sept. 11 services are held in memory of those who have perished. Please attend these services to show that we have not forgotten these innocent victims and their families. We should also remember our people in uniform, who protect us each and every day, whether it is the police, the fire department, EMS, OEM or our military. Please remember to always offer them your thanks for their continued service.
We must always remember what happened and we must work together as citizens to support this great nation. We all have painful memories associated with this day, but I urge you again to offer support to others on the anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001. If this tragic event has taught us anything, it is this: that we will always be “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Ronald G. Rios
Director
Middlesex County Freeholders