Last Thursday marked the 24th anniversary of a day that will forever live in infamy in the history of the United States — the day our world changed forever. On Sept. 11, 2001, the United States was attacked by a foreign enemy on our own soil in a way most Americans never imagined possible. The sequence of events that took place that morning seemed surreal, and the days that followed felt just as unreal.
It has now been 24 years since the horrific events of that day, and it’s hard to believe so much time has passed. To the credit of those who keep us safe, we have not experienced another attack on our soil. Like all historic events of significant magnitude, anyone who was old enough on that life-changing, world-changing day can remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they learned about the attacks in New York City, at the Pentagon and in a field in Pennsylvania.
It was horrible. It was frightening. It was something we never thought we would see on our own soil. But it happened. It unfolded before our eyes. It left us feeling vulnerable. It left us angry. And for a brief time, it made us question the safety, security and sanctity of our nation. Yet deep down, we knew then — as we know now — that the United States remains the greatest nation the world has ever known. And in the end, we win.
Here in Bossier City, in the years following Sept. 11, events such as the City of Bossier City’s annual 9/11 ceremony (held in conjunction with Keep Bossier Beautiful) and the Bossier Chamber of Commerce’s annual Patriot Day ceremony and luncheon remind us what this day is truly about. We can never fully honor or adequately recognize those who keep us safe. We can never say “thank you” enough to the brave individuals who so often place our lives before their own. But it feels good to say “thank you” — and to show our appreciation every chance we get. These two wonderful, heartfelt events are excellent ways to do just that.
Country music star Alan Jackson released a song in November 2001 asking, “Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?” I will never forget where I was or what I was doing. I had been with the Bossier Press-Tribune for only about six weeks and was about to leave home to make advertising sales calls. Just before turning off the television, I heard Good Morning America’s Charlie Gibson reporting that a small plane had apparently flown into one of the World Trade Center towers. I stopped to listen. Moments later, a large jet crossed the screen and struck the second tower. Almost immediately, Gibson said, “This is no accident… our nation is under attack.”
Not knowing what else to do, I stuck to my plan and went on my sales calls. At every business I visited, conversation and attention were focused on what was happening in New York. I decided to return to the office earlier than planned, but getting there was difficult. Barksdale Air Force Base was already on heightened security alert, and Barksdale Boulevard was closed at the West Gate entrance, forcing traffic to detour. On the radio, I heard reports that President Bush was headed to Barksdale. Those reports proved true — soon I saw two F-16s flying overhead with Air Force One not far behind.
Not long after I arrived at the office, our entire newspaper staff rushed outside to stand in the parking lot on Viking Drive to watch Air Force One depart Barksdale, bound for Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. None of us who were old enough will ever forget that day — the day America changed forever. The day our world changed forever. The day America stood momentarily silent, but never still. And here in Bossier City, through the role of Barksdale Air Force Base, we will always be tied to the events of Sept. 11, 2001.
Do you remember where you were that day?
And just last Wednesday, we learned of the senseless assassination of 31-year-old Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, while he was speaking at a college campus event in Utah. This is a tragedy. No matter which side of the political debate you are on, this kind of senseless violence cannot — and must not — happen in the United States. As I wrote in my column a few weeks ago, when we reach the point where we can no longer debate our political differences and beliefs, we are on a dangerous trajectory toward losing our identity as the great and mighty nation that we are.
Randy Brown is Regional Publisher and Executive VP of Specht Newspapers, Inc.