Twelve years later

As we move further away from the events of September 11, 2001, it becomes harder to know what to say on the anniversary. Twelve years out, it feels as if everything that can be said, has been said.

But we must remember.

It's inappropriate, on this day, to rail against the often ineffectual and misguided attempts at security in the post-9/11 world, to debate the course of our foreign policy or to argue the merits of different courses of action.

We must remember.

In an ironic twist, a beautiful young lady appeared at my office door this morning, to fill out the paperwork our government demands of non resident alien students. Her home country?

Iran.

In her passport photo, large eyes gaze out of a pale face, surrounded tightly by the traditional hijab. In my office, I saw a young woman with long chestnut hair flowing freely over a stylish blouse tucked into stonewash jeans. Flawless makeup and pretty jewelry completed the look.

The contrast is remarkable.

I'm not sure where I'm going with this. In spite of everything that's happened over the last dozen years, the United States is still a beacon of freedom and opportunity for many from other countries. We live with a heightened sense of watchfulness, but still with a welcoming hand.

We must remember.

But we must also move forward. We've rather lost our way, both domestically and internationally. We no longer know exactly what our place is, or should be, in the world. We've serious domestic problems that must be dealt with in the near future.

In spite of all this, we remain one of the great nations of the world. What better memorial to those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attacks than to work to regain that greatness, to rebuild the land where liberty allows those who work hard to reap the rewards of success?

By all means, remember. But along with the remembering, think on what you personally can do to strengthen our country.