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Hood River News Editorial
September 9, 2006
Years ago, emergency services issued advisories on how to pronounce
the newly created three-digit emergency phone number. It was the era
of “9-1-1.”
They counseled a careful pronunciation of the number, after people
took to saying “nine-eleven.” But there is no “11” button on the
phone, so officials stressed that it is Nine-One-One, three numbers to
press.
Today, 25 years after nine-one-one the emergency number and five years
after Sept. 11, there is no confusion over the meaning of “Nine
Eleven.”
Monday will bring the half-decade marking of the most profound
anniversary beyond “Seven-Four.” Since 1776, only “Twelve-Seven”
(1941), “Six-Six” (1944) and “Eleven-Twenty-three” (1963) come close
to the resonant implication of “Nine-Eleven.”
But Nine-Eleven is the one we say out loud and everyone knows exactly
what it means.
The U.S. arrives at the Sept. 11 anniversary in a tide of uncertainty
here and abroad due mainly to the war in Iraq, the coming mid-term
elections, the debate over governmental scope of power, and
post-Katrina fatigue.
Sept. 11, 2001, the day of infamy that so defines our time, cannot be
considered in a vacuum. Nor should our society dwell excessively on
the larger war on terrorism manifestations. Multiple forces have
affixed political barnacles on the tragic events in New York,
Washington, D.C., and rural Pennsylvania, but what happened on that
day remain, above all, human tragedies.
Not since the news of the moment of John F. Kennedy’s death have so
many Americans had occasion to focus on a single moment of revelation
that follows them throughout their lives. Many people learned when it
came over the car radio on the way to work, or they overhead it in a
classroom hallway, or at the local coffee shop. How many muffins went
unfinished that morning? How many teachers set aside their lesson
plans that day? That week? How many employees handed boxes of tissue
to fellow workers as they watched the smoke and flames and horror at
the World Trade Center? For adults, the moment of memory remains
indelible.
But for our children, that is largely not the case. On this milestone
anniversary of Sept. 11, it is likely that anyone under the age of 10
has little or no memory of that date. At 3 or 4, they could not have
remembered, let alone understood. But now these young people are
(depending on the child and his or her parents) at or near the age of
coming to an understanding of Sept. 11. As a society, we are defined
by Sept. 11, so how we proceed from here with our youngest generation
is of critical importance.
Our youngest generation will always live under the 9-11 imprint.
Members of our “Greatest Generation” were defined by another war, in
which the battle lines were more clearly drawn, World War II. Within
five years of that war’s conclusion, America had its share of fears,
troubles and traumas, but the nation emerged more prosperous than
ever.
The Greatest Generation also had its Sept. 11 — in 1944: according to
National Geographic that was the day Allied forces under Gen. Omar
Bradley entered German soil. It was a landmark achievement.
Looking to our past and to our future, particular dates can hold
strong significance and connotations, positive and negative. It is
important for the community to mark Monday’s anniversary of Sept. 11,
2001, and in particular the 6:30 p.m. ceremony (details, page A1). The
event will be in the evening, making is possible for more people to
attend.
But as we go about our various ways of remembering our national
tragedy, there’s also the notion of anticipating what will be our next
D-Date, our next 6/6 or 7/4. What will be the next great date? |
