September 11th, 2001: Requiéscant in Pace

Today marks 18 years since the series of four terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11th, 2001 and took the lives of almost 3,000 people. Though the statistics and figures are often quoted on this day, perhaps just as often we simply ask one another, “Where were you on 9/11?”, so etched is it in the minds of those of us who were old enough to remember what happened on that Tuesday morning in New York City, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We can’t forget. It defined our country’s collective existence for years after.

This day is a time to remember all those who died that day, including the first responders who gave their lives in the line of duty. It was the deadliest terrorist attack in history and the deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in American history. Many too have given their lives in the long conflicts that rapidly followed. As time wears on and the new generation, born after 2001, reaches adulthood, it is easy to let the events of that day fade in our memory. But for those of us who remember where we were on 9/11, and, we pray, for all who come after us, may we always forgive, but may we never, ever forget. +

Réquiem ætérnam dona eis, Dómine: et lux perpétua lúceat eis. Requiéscant in pace. Amen.