Submitted by Shawn Harper
September 11th – We remember the horrible things of that day because the images were replayed constantly on our television screens for a very long time. We swore we would never forget.
We remember the heroes who overtook the cockpit of United Airlines Flight 93. It crashed in Pennsylvania instead of into our White House.
U.S. flags quickly sold out in all the stores because everyone wanted to display unity and solidarity, then every newspaper had a fold-out flag to display in a window.
We were not divided as Democrats or Republicans, liberals or conservatives. We came together united. We helped one another.
There were long lines of people at blood donation centers before the dust settled at the World Trade Center.
Twenty-two years is a long time; an entire generation has joined us. Americans did what we always do, we came together and supported one another.
An airline attendant saw stranded travelers at the Kansas City airport. She saw strangers helping strangers, sharing their personal hygiene products, snacks, food, beverages, even bathrooms and holding a youngster or a baby so mom or dad could sleep for a bit on the hard floor. Community minded thoughts and actions at our Kansas City airport. People in this area went KCI to take strangers to their destination because people needed to get home.
All cellular systems overloaded. A friend’s brother was near Ground Zero that day, out of touch with everyone for four days. He was one of millions who walked across the Manhattan Bridge to escape.
Afterward, microwave popcorn sales skyrocketed because people stayed safe at home with loved ones and video rentals doubled; people were overwhelmed by the constant tragic replays on the news channels.
People stayed home and rekindled connections because love and kindness are the most important things for humans. It rejuvenated America.
We showed and proved our greatness.
The human connection we all crave and need became the priority. Togetherness, kindness, goodness; we sought it and brought it.
We overcame the tragedy, we mourned together and healed together. We were kinder to each other, we proved that goodness matters. We chose to do what is right, fair and just, because that always has and always will make America great.
It is how we will win the race for the human race.
There are certain things we have always believed in.
We believe in justice and the right of it. We believe in goodness and the might of it. We believe in kindness and the strength of it. We believe in charity. We have hope and faith that We the people, of these United States can and will make America better than ever.
It is humanity and compassion that brings out our best.
We need to stop letting politics and political beliefs divide us. We have common ground. We’re all in this together. Let’s come together and work together and build together now so America will be better than ever. We need to concentrate on it and work on it more than ever. Let’s remember and practice the greatness of goodness and kindness.
