In memoriam: No matter how many years pass, we should never, ever forget

It was 14 years ago that we saw the news feeds and watched in horror as terrorists used jet airliners as missiles to hit the twin towers of the World Trade Center and then the Pentagon.

Most of us remember where we were.

Most of us remember how we felt.

We gasped in horror as the twin towers came down, and as the smoke rose from the Pentagon.

We had tears in our eyes as we heard the stories of the firefighters who rushed in to help the victims, only to lose their lives themselves.

We listened to the final messages and mourned along with those who had relatives trapped in the towers that day -- and as we listened to their final goodbyes to those they loved.

And we heard the story of Flight 93 -- the heroes who tried to take down terrorists and took down a plane instead -- to make sure their fellow citizens stayed safe.

There would be more news -- more reasons to be sad, but proud.

We saw a giant U.S. flag unfurl on the side of the Pentagon, a message to the world and our enemies about who we are as a nation.

We watched as thousands of Americans paused to attend memorials and to volunteer their time to help survivors and their families.

We came together as a nation.

It is a feeling -- and a moment -- we should never forget.

And we should also remember, too, that the battles did not end there.

Since that fateful day, thousands of American service members have lost their lives fighting the War on Terror.

When we remember 9/11, we should remember them, too -- and the families they have left behind.

As time goes by, the memories might fade for those of us who weren't there and who did not lose someone in New York, Washington or Pennsylvania.

We will still remember, but those wounds will be a little less raw.

We might even have to think a little harder to remember the stories and the heroes.

But we have to fight that urge. We have to remember -- and not just because of those we lost.

Sept. 11 taught us something about ourselves and our nation.

It reminded us that we have enemies without scruples or honor. It reminded us that staying out of the fray is simply not enough to protect Americans.

And, then and today, it should remind us that we are so much stronger when we pull together, set aside our differences and think about our country and each other first.

It is our duty to remember -- and to move forward as a nation and as citizens -- and as Americans.

That's what we owe to those we lost that fateful day and those who have died in service to their country since -- to carry on and to make them proud.

And we do that by vowing never, ever to forget.

Published in Editorials on September 11, 2015 11:20 AM