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Sept. 11, 2001.
If you were old enough to remember that day, it’s certainly one you will never forget, not even if you lived five lifetimes.
The first thing that stands out is how gorgeous it was here in Luzerne County 18 years ago — not a cloud in a crystal-clear blue sky.
By early afternoon, the country was just starting to realize the magnitude of what had happened. At that point, it was also unclear if there would be more attacks.
If you weren’t a member of the military or law enforcement, what could the average person do to help the situation? The events of 9/11 seemed too big and too consequential for just one person to make any significant difference.
Fortunately, the helpless feeling quickly evaporated and many of us began taking action.
Remember the droves of people who answered the call to donate blood to help the injured?
How about the tremendous displays of patriotism and unity that swept over our political leaders and citizenry?
It was a memorable response and it showed the power of average people galvanized behind a meaningful cause.
Today, the events of Sept. 11, 2001, have already become foggy for many of our youngest citizens. To many of them, it’s just another history lesson.
In memory of the fallen, let’s do our part to reverse that trend.
First, if you have a person under 18 in your house, make a point of telling him or her about Sept. 11, how we got to that point, who was responsible, and how America responded and changed since that fateful day.
Second, become a more engaged citizen.
Even simple acts repeated many times over by many people will greatly strengthen our democracy — the American way, so to speak — the very thing the terrorists attacked.
One of the simplest and most patriotic things to do on this Patriot Day is to register to vote.
Oct. 9 is the last day to register before the Nov. 5 general election, in which many county and municipal positions will be contested.
If you’re not registered, now is the time. In fact, as announced this week, state officials are looking to make the process even easier with the debut next Monday of online absentee ballot applications.
You can learn more (and register) at https://www.votespa.com.
Also, Acting Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar last week launched the third year of the Governor’s Civic Engagement Award program for high schools.
The announcement comes as September is National Voter Registration Month.
The program promotes student-led voter registration efforts at high schools and recognizes schools that register at least 65 percent of their eligible students.
“This innovative, nonpartisan program teaches young people civics and encourages them to get involved as active citizens and voters in our democratic process,” Boockvar said.
Absolutely. An engaged citizenry is an empowered citizenry, and we owe it to all who died for our country to never take the right to vote for granted.
But as we close this editorial, we also want to remind everyone on Wednesday to stop and take time to remember those who perished on 9/11, as well as the many first responders who have subsequently died of diseases resulting from the toxins they encountered at Ground Zero.
If you can’t attend a local ceremony, such as that to be held at Luzerne County Community College at 11 a.m., say a silent prayer during the morning for those who never made it home on a sunny September Tuesday all those years ago.
Show your appreciation to a police officer, EMT, firefighter or member of the military by thanking them for their service.
May God bless them, and God bless America.
— Times Leader