September 11 is a day that should remain in the hearts and minds of all decent and caring people, regardless of nationality, religious beliefs, and even regardless of the pain.  And yet, in a CNN.com online poll yesterday, more than 50% of respondents felt it was time to cut back on major 9/11 observances.

In a way, that’s understandable.  We don’t want to remember the horror, the shock, the grief.  After all, generating those emotions plus lasting fear, were major goals of the terrorists who attacked us that fateful day six years ago.

Understandable, yes.  But right?  No!  We should no more reduce our reflections on that awful day any more than on Pearl Harbor Day.  Countless lives were lost, and many more were destroyed in other ways, for no good reason at all.

We all remember where we were and what we were doing when the planes hit the Twin Towers and the Pentagon … when courageous and frightened passengers forced down another hijacked plane in a Pennsylvania field, sacrificing their lives to prevent even more disaster.  No matter what our political affiliations might be, no matter what we may think of current American policy, we should not … cannot forget.

In whatever way seems appropriate to you, remember our country’s darkest day.  And offer thanks that you, and yours, are still here and still able to hold on to one another.

Grant Johnson

Johnson Direct, LLC

800-710-2750