This Is My New Jersey

“My love of the Giants saved my life.” ~Tony Sichenzio

“’39 chauffeur to 39 anybody. Anybody 39 respond, respond. Let me hear from you.’ No one is saying anything.” ~Firefighter Arthur Myers

“George, have them mobilize the Army. We need the Army in Manhattan!” ~Radio transcript of unidentified Firefighter

“On America’s day of trial and grief, I saw millions of people instinctively grab for a neighbor’s hand and rally to the cause of one another. That is the America I know.” ~President George W. Bush

Today we remember the worst attack on American soil. That is, those of us alive remember that day. For approximately 100 million Americans, it is just a date in history and possibly a lesson in their social studies class. One-third of all Americans have no first-hand knowledge of that awful day. Today I will listen to the reading of the names, like I do every year. Each name represents a broken family and a chair that remains empty at Sunday dinners and holidays. Small towns and big cities who lost favorite sons and daughters.

The numbers are staggering, but these are more than just statistics. Each person is a story, a life taken too soon. Many of families never received remains of those people, but once a year, we as a nation make sure we say their names out loud every year. A total of 2,977 souls were killed on that day, over 750 of those victims were from New Jersey. Since that day, almost 10,000 first responders, workers, and residents have died from toxic dust and 9/11-related illnesses.

100 Million

But I keep going back to the number 100 million. They didn’t feel that confusion, shock, fear, anger, and every other emotion under the sun. It is only a date in our nation’s history. To me, it is unfathomable. Every year, the memories come rushing back.

But I also remember 9/12

I remember stores selling out of American flags. I remember our resolve and unity as a nation. I remember people lining up to donate blood for the injured. I remember the hospital workers who waited outside for the injured that never came.

We have a responsibility to those 100 million Americans. It is up to us to make sure they understand that day, because some day all of us who were witnesses to history will be gone. This cannot simply become a political debate, as all things seem to be today, or a “boring” history lesson. Talk to your children. Offer to come into local schools to talk about that day. Let them ask questions. Make it real. The Tunnel to Towers Foundation offers age-appropriate education materials. Write your first-hand account and donate it to your local library. Even encourage your library to make this exercise a town-wide call. When your children are old enough, sit with them and watch 102 Minutes. Set the scene for them. Take away their smart phone and tell them we did not have access the wealth of information online like we do not.

Today, I pray for those who were lost. I pray for those who survived, like my second father, Henry “Papa” Kane. I pray for those who still struggle. I pray for those who are now sick and have passed due to their illnesses from that day. I pray for us all.

“No day shall erase you from the memory of time.” ~Virgil