Have We Forgotten?

I, like any of us who were alive on 9/11/2001, sit in my office reflecting on that day 24 years ago.  

On that morning, I was in the Salem Radio office in Louisville, KY when our GM ran in to tell us that a plane had just hit the World Trade Center. At first, we thought he was kidding then as we ran to see the TV, we saw the second plane hit live.  I will never forget the feelings of terror that cascaded over me in that moment. Little did I realize, this was merely a taste of the fear that would be felt that day. As news of the crash at the pentagon arrived along with the crash of flight 93 in that field in Pennsylvania, the world began to realize that nothing would ever be the same.

As I hear & repeat to myself the words Never Forget I find that the tears have an intensity this year that rivals the tears I cried on that day 24 years ago. I sit here in a nation more divided than I have seen in my life while reflecting on the unity we expressed & felt in that same nation in the weeks that followed the events of that fateful day. But more importantly I am reflecting on how that day changed me.

Since that day I’ve been ordained as a pastor, completed a seminary degree, adopted an amazing bi-racial son, welcomed a dynamic young miracle baby girl, lived in four states while serving for extended years at 3 churches, entered the world of multi-cultural welcoming ministry that was birthed by a theological posture shift to one of deep love for the marginalized, oppressed, & abused. Along the way I learned the deep value of allowing my positions to shift as I learn from God alongside the lived experiences of others. 

For me, it’s been a journey of learning and growing through the lessons learned all those years ago through tragedy. I’ve learned about myself, my country, and my God. Some of what I’ve learned has been concerning, some has cause pain, some joy, and there has even been a decent portion of encouragement as we’ve all grown together. Yet, we must admit we still have work to do, personally and dare I say corporately.

Since that day we’ve had four presidents and a fair share of turmoil. We have engaged in numerous wars, survived a pandemic, seen political assassinations of figures in both major parties, weathered several economic rollercoaster rides, witnessed systemic injustice across our nation in ways we never could have imagined, and find ourselves at war with each other across ideological lines in ways that threaten to completely fracture the nation we all claim to love so deeply.
I am not the same person I was that day 24 years ago and pray you aren’t either. I pray you are kinder, more joy filled, understanding of the lived experiences of others, and a peacemaker in your sphere of influence.  
What if we decided that 9/11/2025 was the day we once again returned to the lessons learned in the days following 9/11/2001?  Not the lessons of vengeance and power but the lessons of unity, care for each other, and peacemaking among our neighbors that dominated those sacred days.