On 9-11, the whole nation stops. The nation used to stop for Pearl Harbor, remembering December 7, 1941 – another attack on America. I remember Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush stopping that day, WWII generation.
On 9-11, names are read, immortalized with intent, as we stand right there where these terrible things happened, and we reflect, unify, and share—all who can come. Tears are shed, we pause with heart, then again move forward.
On 9-11, all who knew them personally paused. Those who did not pause, too. We remember we are all Americans, “one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” We do not imagine perfection but the journey in that direction.
On 9-11, to borrow from Lincoln, we fortify ourselves with their memory, take new devotion to the cause of freedom, unity, love of country, and each other by recalling those who here took their last breath. Where they were, we are.
On 9-11, like standing in other places where freedom-loving people died, you feel it. You can vaguely feel the loss, fear, terror, courage, history, and their presence.
On 9-11, we stand where they were – as one does in Gettysburg, Normandy, Auschwitz, Dachau, Gdansk, St. Petersburg, Dhahran, Baghdad, Kosovo, Pristina, Kabul, Jerusalem, New York City, and the Pentagon, not to mention Arlington.
On 9-11, as in other places, just being there you feel the weight of the facts, as if some sentry souls still remain in these places to remind us, noiselessly whispering that they appreciate our presence, understand the fight, know what is right.
On 9-11, many times I have stood looking at the Pentagon – as I have stood in each of those places above, everyone and there remembered, prayed, and stayed until saturated in the meaning of what happened, sometimes just listening to the wind.
On 9-11, as on other dates in other places, I have done what the heart asks of us: to think, feel, understand, commiserate, commemorate, and pledge to live as if these lives, precious and gone, were watching even now, asking that effort of us.
On 9-11, we go to those places because of an inner beckoning, or if we cannot, we give a moment of silence, lower a flag, spend time with images that hurt, and hear taps.
On 9-11, at the Pentagon or Arlington, I always get stronger by being there, where they are near, where friends lie, feeling not so alone, some bit of them here.
On 9-11, I am reminded to care, reminded again that I do care and why I care. I am infused with purpose, recommitted to freedom, filled with gratitude, aware of their sacrifice, and come away humbled and lifted by their attitude.
On 9-11, this is why I go, to be where they were, to see others there for that reason, with their own memories, sorrows, regrets, and recommitments, staying, praying.
On 9-11, for reasons known only to God, I was not where I might have been, in the Pentagon wedge that was home to my unit, where I often served midweek supporting the Chief of Navy Operations’ Intelligence Plot. I was not there.
On 9-11, for reasons as mysterious, I climbed aboard a plane not among those hijacked by the terrorists, one that left 45 minutes before one that was, the one that hit the Pentagon and killed seven of my friends, where I might have been.
On 9-11, we all grieve, as other generations did on December 7, 1941, a different kind of terror. By going, we can fully pause, give thanks, and pray for those no longer here.
My last comment, perhaps ungenerous, is this: Why any official who could go to these places and chooses not to, I do not understand. Why a President of the United States would not go is a mystery; it leaves me speechless. I do not know.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, attorney, and naval intelligence officer (USNR). He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (2018), and is National Spokesman for AMAC.
Thank you for your remembrance for 9/11, RBC. I was on leave at home when my wife called from work and told me something about a tower being on fire in NYC. I had the TV on when the second plane hit the next tower. I called NYC because I had a cousin and her husband that worked in one of the towers that were hit. Luckily they had decided to take the day off so they survived. The plane that hit the Pentagon plowed into an area where I had several friends that had just broken off from their meeting and were heading back to their offices and that plane destroyed the conference room they had just been in. Many people lost their lives that day but many miracles occurred that kept that count from being much higher than what it could have been. In God We Trust.
I will now remember 9/11 as the day when our Jack*ss Joe Biden FAILED to Honor the Memories of the losses America took by his NOT ATTENDING the day’s services.
Very disrespectful the imposter (in chief ) would forego being at the 9-11 ceremony.When you think he’s gone to a new low as president, just wait there’s always tomorrow.
We all have memories, all have that “place” we were when we stared first in curiosity and disbelief followed by sheer terror when the second plane hit. We held our children closer, we felt horror, we felt disbelief, shock, unimaginable anger, unimaginable pride in our country, our first responders, the heroes who gave their lives, who ran into that horrific situation without hesitation, who downed a plane meant for the White House. We felt so much, so fiercely. I can tell you exactly why the man who currently calls himself President didn’t go, he doesn’t care. He is systematically destroying our freedom, our great country, the reputation and status our great America has had. 911 reminds us of the patriotism, the courage, the sheer resilience of this great country. He hates all of that. That is why he didn’t go. He is not an American.
You did a right, proper tribute , in your writing that expresses a sense of Honor for those who died in the September 11, 2001 al — Qaeda attack. Great praise for that Robert. Way to go, Remember always. About the question why the President did not show up at any of the commemorations at either New York, the Pentagon or the Flight 93 crash site in Pennsylvania, apparently the planning , the schedule for that day, that involved returning from foreign countries did not consider the message that would be sent to many about not showing up . I believe it would have been in the interest of respect to have made adjustments to the schedule of the President so at least one of the commemoration sites could have been visited then. This issue I do believe reflects more than just a lack of better planning for scheduling the travel of the President , in fact it reflects an outlook, of about half the population that could be described as lost, not caring, disrespectful, detached from principles , maybe a combination of all of those things. But definitely different from those of us who value the principles of Faith, Family and Freedom. — those of us who have an American sense of purpose and live by a code of conduct. The 9 — 11 attack started a new kind of war, and this corruption with the invasion at the borders , and the corruption concerning the contempt for truth , by public health officials in connection with the coronavirus issues — can be seen as tactics that are part of the overall strategy to attack the United States of America , whenever and however possible. Whenever the truth seems to be compromised, people need to have the intelligence to investigate what looks to be suspicious, and if there is wrongdoing, then the courage needed to defend the truth , defend good from evil is the honorable course of action. Very appropriate, very good article Robert, Well Done !
Yes, indeed, do I remember 9/11. It was a horrible day. Many innocent people died. I remember seeing people jump from near the top of the building as a last ditch effort to save their lives. I remember seeing the two towers collapse. With all the lying our government has been doing during the pandemic and the untruthful attacks on Donald Trump, I am now questioning the official investigation into how and why the towers collapsed. It almost looked like there were demolition charges strategically placed in the towers. I am not saying the official results of the investigation are false but I am questioning everything in the aftermath of what our country has experienced in the last 6 years.
A very Brilliant Man & President George Washington, told USA to (AVOID ALL FOREIGN ENTANGLEMENT’S) YET the WAR HAWKS, with no skin in the game keep getting us into them & our young Men & Women die so they can make more money. “MAKE AMERICA FIRST ALWAYS: If attacked respond overwhelmingly ,otherwise “MYOB”
Can anyone give any rational explanation why Joe Biden showed such disrespect for those who died due to an attack on the U.S. on U.S. soil? Is there any rational explanation why a president of the U.S. would schedule other things to do and places to go on the anniversary of such an attack in which so many American citizens directly affected are still alive?
Thank you , Robert Charles, for this article remembering 9/11. On that day, my brother-in-law escaped out of the Pentagon, where he was employed, as the walls fell down around him. He cannot remember how. We thank God he survived. None who remained alive at the end of that day, and are still living, will ever forget it. Ours is not a perfect country by any means, but it is a country dedicated to living and striving to be a more perfect place, where each citizen is able to work and live under the same rules and laws, taking care of his or her family to the best of his or her ability.
Absolutely not trying to diminish 9/11 in any way, shape or form. One question: how is this any different than what occurred in Maui and why are the facts are being hidden?
I not only remember 9/11. I was 13 when Pearl Harbor was bombed. Both events cost over 3,000 American lives. Americans were just as angry on 9/11, but the feeling didn’t last like it did on Dec. 7, 1941 probably because Pearl Harbor was attacked by a country so we knew who our enemy was (Japan) while the twin towers in N.Y. was hit by radical Muslims, not a country, so we returned to our regular routine. (I just turned 95).
Where was the Dummy in chief was not there to honor all those that died that shows what Biden is all about that is why our country is in such terrible shape he cares about nothing time to impeach him and also that VP who cannot run a daycare for dogs.We need new leadership and also to make a clean sweep in the White House for better people to lead this country.
After that day not only was enemy not named and targeted but was allowed to thrive while the rest of America became a target of security “officials” Endless budget less agencies were created to make our lives miserable ,travel became a nightmare That was only a prelude to bureaucratic nightmare to come Since then we are in the hands of clueless useless lawless “experts” A dream come true for any little zero that suddenly became a number Piling up teddy bears and flowers will not deter or slay the dragon
Still waiting for the story and truth of the collapse of the 3rd. building not hit. How many not mentioned died in that building? Watched an informative video a few short years back, produced by 19 structural engineers. What I see, right or wrong, are thousands of innocent people murdered, families torn to pieces with grief and all these years later to many unanswered questions.
Questions that will no doubt never be answered by those who have answers. Having watched interesting programs on science TV of how large buildings in even close residential areas are imploded, the perfectly time charges and when done 100% correct they implode in on themselves in increments, like pancakes…The above mentioned video was from different angles of the towers. The buildings primarily pancaked onto themselves after the first impacts, and when you pay attention you see between 5 or 6 floors what look like periodic timed explosions. Forgive me for being a nay sayer, but I can’t help but wonder that the two airliners were merely the catalysts for the destruction.
9/11 was a horrific inestimable tragedy of unbounded proportions…we will probably never know the whole truth in this lifetime…but someone does.
A well thought out and written homage to those who died in this terrible disaster. Thank you for sharing it and especially for not giving the IDIOT in the White House a pass. It just shows his bumbling personality even more! May God have mercy on this wonderful country of ours and bless us with a good President in 2024!
Excellent article. And heart breaking.
I enjoy reading all of your articles, they give me pause to think… .
I don’t understand why people are bashing Biden for not showing up on 9/11. Afterall he had to make sure his precious Corvette was safe. Didn’t you know already it is ultimately more important than the lives lost on 9/11 or those lost in the Maui fire?
Well Robert thank you for your service . Uncle Joe did go somewhere his basement. I give thanks to all who made the sacrifice. The brave young men who did their duty and perished on that Sunday morning and now are forgotten. The civilians hearing on cell phones and making the greatest sacrifice of all for ALL Americans , brave Americans who said enough and DID something about it . Just like the minute men and women who said enough and thank God DID something about it . America remember all the people of all colors of all genders of all ages that paid the price because evil will never go away .
I was in my office in a Wall St building about 1/4 mile from the towers when the planes hit. I remembered that I had urgently wanted to attend an industry presentation at Windows on the World, which was held that day starting at 8am. “Thankfully” my firm was in a cost cutting mood and attendance was denied. I lost several friends and business acquaintances that day. I recall leaving to head home at about 3:30. While waiting for the ferry to LI, the last of the buildings collapsed and we experience that last of the dust storms.
9/11 always evokes a strong emotional response from me a mixture of anger, sadness and thankfulness. I could have any less respect for this faux president so his shafting of the country on 9/11 did not affect me that much. If he had gone to New York City he would have been forced to see some of the social devastation wrought be his administration and policies. So of course he staid away.
9–11 was a controlled demolition. Talk to a trained engineer. The typical story told by Prager & others is a fairy tale. “Who done it?” My guess — the CIA – perhaps with help from other gov’t agencies. This had to have been an inside job.
And we are left to wonder who really put the explosives in place that brought the towers down like an implosion???¿