A Dark Day

I've started to write this post many times. Then I get angry, frustrated and upset about how we have responded to this day. And how little we have accomplished. Osama Bin Laden -- still out there. The Freedom Tower (now renamed 1 World Trade Center for some politically correct reason) -- still not done. The War on Terror (oh right, we can't call it that anymore; as if that makes the terrorism stop) -- ineffective; innocent people still die at the hands of uncivilized barbarians. See my problem? This paragraph was to be two sentences, and already it is building momentum and turning into a rant. And taking away from today.

On September 11, 2001 nearly 3,000 innocent people were slaughtered going about their daily lives. That's what we need to remember today. The children without parents. In some cases the parents now without a child. The first responders fallen in the line of duty. The wasted talents and skills of so many people. The hopes and dreams snuffed out. The weddings, graduations, birthdays, christenings, retirement parties and other celebrations that will never be. From the highly successful to just plain folks, innocent people blasted into eternity without even the possibility of a common mass grave. That's what we need to remember today. In prayer if you are so inclined (and many Americans are). Or in other ways of recognition if you are not (as this country allows you to -- unlike so many other countries).

December 7, 1941 was a day of infamy. September 11, 2001 will always be a dark day for me.

About me: Dan Pelley is an educator specializing in management training and development programs for supervisors and other first-line managers in Connecticut (CT), Massachusetts (MA) and Rhode Island (RI).