A day to remember

It can take a significant event for us to remember where we were and exactly what we were doing at a given time. For those born in the early 2000's and before, that came in the form of planes crashed into the World Trade Center.

For myself, I remember going about my normal routine in college until I passed by the television in the cafeteria and wondered at what I was seeing. It was a sentiment expressed by my classmates, friends, family who called, and personally the reality of it didn't really hit home for me until suspects were named.

Beyond those initial feelings, it was also a time that brought us all together. It seems fitting the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, a time when many who lived through the day now have children to which they have to explain the significance, that parts of the country are being brought together again, not through terrorist attacks but rather response efforts to the floods, fires and quakes.

These moments, as well as our response to them, will be part of what defines our communities, our nation and our world. Let's always remember how, in times of tragedy, we can join together for the greater good.