The Sadness, Heroism, and Resolve From the Spirit of 9-11

(Editor's note about the author: T.O. Illustratio is a free lance writer and observer of the interaction of personalities in everyday life. The author seeks to inspire readers to look within themselves to see how much good they can do in this world when a definitive purpose in life is clear.)

This past Friday broke in the same way. Brilliant sunshine, clear skies, and just a gentle wisp of a breeze suggested a glorious early September day was coming our way. Certainly a day in which gratitude should be pouring forth, and for this humble scribe, that appreciation was present. So were the memories. The spirit of 9-11 was profoundly present. The day would be remembered with those two numbers. 9-11. 

25 years ago the same type of morning broke with the same weather pattern and the same appreciation for such a glorious early September day. At a few minutes before 9:00 AM, all that sunny warmth and effusive enthusiasm was shattered as the news broke. A large plane had suddenly, somehow hit one of the twin towers at the World Trade Center.

Minutes later a second plane followed a similar path and plowed into the other tower. Any early conjecture suggesting human error or mechanical failure with the first projectile was dissolved by the second tower exploding into flames. This was planned. This was a heinous attempt at causing as much death as possible in as spectacular a method as imaginable.

Historical Significance and A Call To Action

The day would be etched into history for everyone in our nation. Reverberations would be felt around the world. The spirit of 9-11 would transcend the gamut of emotions. 

Sitting outside on my deck this past Friday, jotting down notes for my next article, basked in that morning September sun, it was impossible not to go back to that fateful morning in 2001. On that morning I was just beginning my work day when the realization hit us all.

Our nation was being targeted. Soon more news came out. A third plane had slammed into the Pentagon. The images of the two burning towers were searing our minds and tearing at our hearts, and now more horrible news. And then reports came out of a fourth plane somewhere over Pennsylvania. How many more were there?

My office was near a fairly busy regional airport and by later in the morning all air traffic had vanished, except military jets on duty just in case there were more enemies at the controls of airliners.

As my mind returned to where I was that day, similar to the words of Alan Jackson, I also thought about what came after. The spirit of 9-11. We saw firefighters and police run toward danger to help the victims. That's what they do. Every time! A lesson that should be reinforced on the socialists who cry out to "defund the police."

History should be preserved for it's factual content as well as it's educational value. The incredible courage of those who were at ground zero must be conveyed to the young people, not yet born in 2001. The national rallying to lend support to all neighbors and strangers in need that blossomed as Americans set aside differences must be taught to our next generations.

To do less gives oxygen to the agitators who spread deceit and falsehoods over social media with nonsensical, disrespectful claims that "America deserved 9/11, dude."

A gift our country gives these voices of division, using ridiculous statements as a means of gaining attention, any kind of attention, is the freedom to make such outlandish comments. Ironically, should they make similar comments about the autocratic, theocratic machines holding tight grips on the governments they offer support, they would be dealt with swiftly and efficiently. 

In our nation, we share the truth so the young people can make a clear distinction between facts and video deception. Remembering the spirit of that important day gives clarity and purpose to our society.

The Spirit of 9-11

The examples of heroism were everywhere. The professionals did their jobs. They arrived early and stayed late. They went above and beyond and they did it without hesitation.

It didn't stop there and then through resolve, determination, or Divine Providence, that heroism, that commitment to move toward the challenges to help those in need, began to spread to everyday citizens. Politics was parked. Division was discarded. Acrimony was assuaged. All were replaced with legions asking, "What can we do?" And then doing it.

This past Friday another type of appreciation and gratitude filled my mind and empowered my soul. The spirit of 9/11 is still inside us. Yeah, politics, division, and acrimony tend to bog us down in the debilitating quagmire of selfish agendas.

But it's still there. The spirit of 9-11 is in us. It's our duty to bring it back out, without the need to break glass in case of emergency. The spirit of 9-11 guided our sisters and brothers in America during hazardous times.

It can do so again. Small steps, individual efforts with altruistic actions. America at it's finest!

Written by T.O. Illustratio

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