It's been inspiring to see what everyone has posted on FaceBook and spoken about in church and on the radio in relation to today being the tenth anniversary of the September 11th tragedy.
Earlier today though one of my Facebook friends made the comment "Is it unpatriotic that I am really tired of getting choked up at the 9/11 coverage?" and one of her friends responded that "It's called emotional overload. Take a break."
That really got me thinking though...how much is too much and at what point does it become overload? I agree that it's patriotic to remember those who innocently lost their lives as well as those brave first responders who acted so courageously in the face of danger. But at the same time, at what point is it acceptable to start looking towards the future instead of just remembering the past?
It's common to hear "Do you remember where you were and what you were doing when XX happened?" The assassination of JFK, the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and man's first steps on the moon occurred before I was born however I was in elementary school when the Challenger shuttle exploded. While I actively remember that event, I was young enough to have a certain childish ignorance and was able to look forward easier.
I'd be curious to hear how the general public responded in the decade(s) after Pearl Harbor. That was another attack on American soil where many lost their lives that resulted in the US entering a state of war. Was it different then because it resulted in the US entering World War II instead of the current US lead war on terror? Is it different with September 11th because it was an attack on two office buildings instead of an attack on a military base?
I don't think there is any one right way to look at this situation and it'll be different for everyone. We should always look back with reverence on those events that have helped shape where we are today but we should also look forward to what tomorrow may bring.
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