For the week of September 11 - 17, 2002

How should we remember Sept. 11?

Guest opinion by IDAHO SENATOR MIKE CRAPO

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The world viewed by most Americans before the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon seems like something of a blur. It was a world without terrorism warnings; a time when our soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen were not fighting a war; and a time without the anxiety that is now commonplace.

That’s why, as we approach the first anniversary of this terrible day, it is hard to find an appropriate way to commemorate what happened. It is most difficult in communities like Nampa and Sugar City, where the loss of a native son was felt. There will be dozens of TV specials, news reports, and magazine articles that will all attempt to memorialize what happened on Sept. 11. However, while I know that most of these programs and reports will be thoughtful and deliberate, I am not at all sure that the appropriate recognition of the anniversary of the attacks is in seeing, once again, those terrible images of the Trade Center collapse or the massive plume of smoke rising above the Pentagon.

Rather, while we most certainly should remember what happened on Sept. 11, the loss of life, the sadness and the pain, it is also important that we recognize just how the United States responded to what happened, how the American people have rallied to this fight, and what an enormous task still lies ahead.

Within a few days of this attack, our military and intelligence services traced the source of this heinous crime and began making preparations for an all-out assault on the al Qaida and Taliban terrorist bases in Afghanistan. This was a massive undertaking, involving special operations forces, thousands of regular troops, naval support and an awe-inspiring air campaign. It was carried out with precision and, as we know, it was tremendously effective. But most of all, it demonstrated the tremendous resolve and commitment of the American people. We supported our troops and, I can tell you, they appreciated it.

In a sense, there is a certain similarity between Sept. 11, 2001, and the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor. In each instance, within a matter of hours, the perception of the world changed, lives were affected at a personal level, and the future seemed uncertain. But, while we were shocked, upset, and yes, anxious about the future, our armed forces, with the backing of the American people, began to bring the war home to our enemies.

The veterans of that long-ago war, and those Idahoans who can remember that fateful day are getting fewer, but it’s with that lesson in mind—the memory of how America dealt with another day of infamy—that we should remember the events of a year ago. America took a serious blow, but with a unity and a sense of purpose not seen in a long while, we rallied and started to turn the tide against our attackers.

However, the challenge we have—one year later—is to remember that this fight isn’t over. While we destroyed many terrorist bases in Afghanistan, the terrorist threat remains very real. Finding these people, bringing them to justice, and destroying their terrorist organizations will be slow and require a continuing commitment on the part of our government and, most importantly, all Americans. So, in looking back on Sept. 11, the best way to commemorate this very important date may be to remember that, while we grieve and remember what happened, we must also maintain our resolve, keep our focus, and stick with this fight until the job is done. We owe this to those who lost their lives in the attacks, to the two Idahoans who died in the attack on the Pentagon, Ron Vauk from Nampa, and Brady Howell of Sugar City, to those who fought in Afghanistan, and, of course, to ourselves and our children so that someday we can live in a world free of this kind of violence.

 

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