Four planes.
2,977 souls.
On September 11, 2001, the world watched in horror as the tragedy of 9/11 unfolded.
First one plane, then another, hit the World Trade Center. A third was flown into the Pentagon, and a fourth, diverted by passengers, crashed into an empty field.
Islamic jihadists vowed death to all Americans.
Though thousands were killed, the American spirit was not.
The terrifying images of that day were seared into collective memory. But after the attack, people clung to each other, comforted one another, reached out to help another.
We were stuck in London after the attacks until planes were flying again. People stopped us on the street, asking if we were Americans, and what they could to help.
The American embassy was ringed with flowers four feet deep.
In the States the consciousness changed. We were united in our grief and came together as a nation to mourn, to manage and to move forward.
The feeling that we were in this together, that America as a whole had been attacked, brought us together as neighbors, as citizens, as human beings.
People were kinder, gentler, more forgiving and more giving.
As we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the attack, we need to hearken back to that time, when we were united, not divided, as a nation.
In 2001, it didn’t matter if you were a Democrat or Republican, white or Black, male, female or trans. It mattered that you were alive.
The news will recount that day. Images of the towers will be shown over and over.
Flags placed in memoriam, like those on the lawns at Shepherd Church in Woodland Hills and at Pepperdine in Malibu, will remind us that each of those flags represents a father, mother, brother, sister, son or daughter, friend or co-worker.
But they also remind us of the indomitable American drive.
And hopefully, will remind us that now is the time to once more, come together as a country, and again be kinder, gentler, more forgiving and more giving.
