A constant reminderfor 9/11

In one week, our country’s residents will observe the 12th anniversary of Sept. 11, 2001, a day etched in so many people’s minds when terrorists hijacked four jet airlines and crashed two of them into the World Trade Center and the other into the Pentagon.

Passengers in the fourth jet, however wrestled the controls away from the determined group of four hijackers, but United Flight 93 crashed into a field in Pennsylvania, killing all 44 aboard.

As the smoke cleared during the tragic Tuesday, nearly 3,000 people including many first-responders perished while trying to save people either at the World trade Center or the Pentagon. Several officers who had ties to Naval Air Station Fallon were among those killed at the Pentagon. In the years since 9/11, more than 6,600 men and women serving in the armed forces have died in either Iraq or Afghanistan.

One of the earliest casualties of the military action in Afghanistan was a young Army soldier by the name of Jason Disney, a young man who grew up in Fallon, joined the Army and shipped off half-way around the world to serve his country. The main avenue at Bagram Air Field in northeastern Afghanistan bears Disney’s name.

Much has occurred in 12 years. The U.S. removed its troops from Iraq in late December 2011 and plans to remove most — if not all — of its combat troops from Afghanistan at the end of 2014.

Although the fighting in Afghanistan continues, the news is not as prevalent as it once was; however, the threats continue against U.S. interests at both home and abroad, and the nation’s leaders continue to grapple with the need for national security, an action that has produced vigorous debate in this country.

Notwithstanding, the city of Fallon, though, will remember the events of 9/11 on Patriots Day behind City Hall. The ceremony is open to anyone. Mayor Ken Tedford Jr., as he has traditionally done, will read a chronological account that occurred on that day, and Gov. Brian Sandoval, who is also the state’s commander in chief of the military, will deliver the keynote address. The mayor also recognizes the first-responders who place their lives in harm’s way whenever they respond to a call to help their follow mankind.

Although next Wednesday will be a solemn day, Sept. 11, 2001, like Dec. 7, 1941, are both days that will live in infamy. It is important, therefore, for present and future generations to remember these observances as a constant reminder of how dangerous our world is.

Like Pearl Harbor, 9/11 was a day when terrorists brought their war to American soil, something that cannot occur again.

Editorials written by the LVN Editorial Board appear on Wednesdays.