As we pause today to remember the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, we reflect first on the heart-wrenching loss of the nearly 3,000 lives taken in the terrible and world-altering hours of that fateful morning.
For those of us old enough to remember that terrifying day 21 years ago, the images, and the emotions they stir, will be with us forever. Chilling images of terror and of gut-wrenching sorrow, alongside inspiring images of courage, bravery and heroic selflessness.
Our nation and our world changed forever that day.
In many ways, we continue to struggle, individually and collectively, to make sense of the unimaginable. To reconcile our grief and move forward in ways that will help our society learn to work together toward a deeper understanding of those human bonds that must unite us, and toward a more peaceful future for every nation.
We are reminded once again today in our solemn remembrance of the words of Sandy Dahl, whose husband, Jason Dahl, was the pilot of the Flight 93 plane that crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pa., during the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate,” Sandy Dahl said.
Remembering is a critical part of healing, and healing a step toward overcoming hate.
So, we must continue to remember the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, to honor the lives of those who died and ensure they are never forgotten, and to allow our collective healing to cultivate a more peaceful world for our children to inherit.
Yours in education,
Kaweeda G. Adams
Superintendent
