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Friday was the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.
That event changed our nation in many ways, from the relatively brief moment of national solidarity, with members of Congress - no matter their political affiliation - joining together in song on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, to a nationwide response to the rescue and recovery effort.
Every community was affected, and connected, in some way.
It also changed the way the nation approached safety, from the passage of the U.S. PATRIOT (Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism) Act, to stricter security measures when traveling (we didn’t always have to take our shoes and belts off when going though airport security), to the creation of major federal agencies including the Department of Homeland Security.
It was a turning point in our history; one which won’t be forgotten by those who were alive at the time and one that should be taught to those who weren’t as a reminder to how fragile peace can be.
That’s why it is so surprising there didn’t seem to be as many observances of the milestone anniversary in our communities.
St. Joseph the Worker Church in Weirton has made it a tradition to celebrate a Blue Mass each Sept. 11, inviting members of our local emergency responder community to be acknowledged for their efforts to offer protection over our cities and towns.
Each is presented with a small gift, and a luncheon is held after.
Students from Madonna High School, St. Joseph the Worker School, and St. Paul School also attend, along with parishioners.
Thursday afternoon, I learned of a service set for Friday in Follansbee, to include a speech by Del. Jimmy Willis, and prayers and music offered by some of our local churches.
I know there were other events in the Wheeling area, and, realistically, it would have been impossible for me to make it to four or five separate events, but it still makes me wonder why there seemed to be so few here.
Weirton has a perfect spot for a service, and a couple were held in the early years following 9-11.
For those unaware, the Brooke-Hancock Veterans Memorial Park includes a small memorial built from fragments of steel beams which once were part of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center.
Following the remediation of Ground Zero, many of those steel beams were sent to Weirton Steel to be recycled into their product lines. So, yes, for a couple of years, there was the possibility those purchasing steel from our local company received a shipment which partially included elements of those towers.
Three fragments were held back by Weirton Steel officials, who had them turned into a memorial - one piece horizontal and the other two vertical as to reflect the Towers themselves - which was dedicated in May 2002 at the veterans park.
At a time when our nation is so divided by political rhetoric, debating who should be "allowed" to attend memorial services, or which "side" is doing the most damage, it would be nice if we could make a return to the spirit in those days after and stand united, even if it was just for a few moments.
The farther away we get from that spirit, the closer we get to never being able to find it again.