9/11 -- Have we Forgotten?

Has America Forgotten???

The ten-year anniversary of 9/11 has come and gone and sadly it has left me thinking that Americans have already forgotten. The days and weeks leading up to the anniversary were filled with various television specials about the tragic event. Unfortunately many networks saw the anniversary as an opportunity to attempt to get ratings by airing conspiracy theories rather than making it about somber remembrance, heroes and the American spirit.

I wonder how much of the “We will never forget,” mantra is simply a fashionable saying and less reality. I love America and Americans. I think we are a unique and strong willed people that value freedom and will come together in times of crisis. But the truth is we do forget. We get comfortable with routine, involved in our own lives, our own interests and own concerns. Yes we are charitable and loving but we are also distracted. Sure we may never forget the events of 9/11 but I think we forgot along time ago how it made us feel that day and who we were on 9/12.

As you may or may not know I am a police officer. 09/11/11 was a workday for me and I felt honored to put my uniform on that day, placing our department’s 9/11 commemorative badge on my chest. I began my shift in the afternoon and at that time there was one tray of cookies with a card from one family and their young children thanking us. (Which I always find awkward being thank collectively but it is much appreciated). I did not see any additional cards at the conclusion of my shift 10.5 hours later. As I went through my shift I had a box of small American flags (made in the U.S.A. of course) that I had planned to hand out to kids I may have come across during my shift. Unfortunately the radio had other plans for me and it was business as usual. Call to call, contact to contact, house to house and business to business. 9/11/11 and outside of a much appreciated card and tray of cookies, there was not one thank you, not one hand shake, not one appreciative horn honk as I drove by. A full box of American flags on the seat next to me that I didn’t get to hand out and I wondered if it even mattered.

I don’t enjoy being a Police Officer because I want special attention or people to come thank me for the job I do. I don’t look for praise. The lack of it on the ten-year anniversary however; stung me to the core. Has America forgotten?

No! That one card with scribbled handwriting and misspelled words and tray full of cookies tells me that as long as one person remembers all is not lost.