Take Time to Honor the Victims of September 11

The events that unfolded on September 11, 2001 hold different meanings for people. While there is no doubt the September 11 tragedy affected countless family members and friends of the victims as well as the American citizens and nations across the globe, people remember the events of September 11, 2001 in many different ways.

Since the tragic terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon and the loss of the passengers and crew of United Airway's Flight 93, Americans embraced a tradition to remember the victims, police, firemen, and volunteers that lost their lives on September 11, 2009. Friends and family of the September 11 victims visit the memorials established at Ground Zero in New York City and make the pilgrimage to the memorial in Stoneycreek Township, Pennsylvania, the crash site of United Airway's Flight 93. Many others volunteer for community or charity work to remember the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11. The people are uniting to honor the memory of the injured or lost as well as to honor the service members of the armed forces that serve to protect our nation. It is an opportunity for people to take time out of their day to show their support and bring back the sense of selfless giving and sacrifice that the police, fire, and volunteer workers displayed on that fateful day in September 2001. Friday, September 11, 2009 will be the first 9/11 anniversary designated as a National Day of Service and Remembrance since President Barrack Obama signed a national service measure in April of 2009.

An invitation was extended to city and town leaders across America to request commemorative pieces of the World Trade Center to be used in September 11 memorials across the country. According to the New York Times, The New York Port Authority and New Jersey Port Authority who own the steel that was recovered from the World Trade Center at ground zero received dozens of requests for artifacts since the program was established. The pieces will not be offered to individuals and only groups such as memorial organizations, cities, and towns can receive an artifact so that a memorial can be established to commemorate the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

The September 11 anniversary, reminds people to prepare themselves for unforeseen events. Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Federal Government took a firm stance to educate and prepare citizens by establishing the www.ready.gov website. This web site encourages Americans to be aware, educated, and prepared for unexpected events that may impact them. It provides a preparedness checklist and plan as well as preparations that families and businesses can take to better enable them to cope with a natural or man made disasters. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security web site www.dhs.gov/index.shtm contains information regarding border security, counter terrorism and preparedness. In an effort to inform and prepare citizens, Spike TV began airing a television series titled, "Surviving Disaster" every Tuesday night. It is probably not a coincidence that the first program involved a terrorist hijacking of a commercial jet liner and the second program covered a large fire in a high rise building.

While there is no "right" or "wrong" way to remember the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks and there is no protocol of events or minimum standard of time that should be spent commemorating this historic event, what is important is that we never forget. Remember to take some time on this September 11 to reflect upon the countless number of lives that were so deeply impacted, take a few moments to be grateful for the military service members that persist in their sacrifice, honor the memories of the lost by engaging in charitable acts of kindness and finally, spend some time to protect yourself and family through education, planning and preparation.