I was only a few years into my career at Officer.com when I visited New York City in 2011 for the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. The ceremonies were larger in scale than in past years and the memorial at Ground Zero was officially unveiled.
The mood was somber, but the resolve of those who responded during the attacks -- and in the days and weeks following -- was strong. Every person I spoke to who lost a colleague, family member or close friend in that tragedy didn't spend the day lamenting their loss, but instead took time to remember the fond memories they still held of their loved ones.
Police officers, firefighters, paramedics and family members of those lost shared with me where they were that morning when the first plane struck the World Trade Center and what happened as the day unfolded. The look in their eyes, in some ways, was one of tiredness. These were stories they had shared with other reporters time after time each and every anniversary that came before that one. They were generous with the details though, and never once did someone brush me aside.
New Yorkers in general can be proud people, but this was much different. While there was still a sense of pride in how their city weathered the storm, they didn't wear the attacks as a badge of honor, but as a burden many of them still carried with them every day.
As survivors of such a horrible event, they knew that the only way people won't forget what happened in future years is to continue to share their stories with others. Many of those same responders still have to deal with the aftereffects of 9/11 including PTSD and diseases related to the toxic dust at the WTC site during recovery efforts.
As it is their mission to make sure we never forget; it should forever be ours to make sure that they are not forgotten.
Paul Peluso | Editor
Paul Peluso is the Managing Editor of OFFICER Magazine and has been with the Officer Media Group since 2006. He began as an Associate Editor, writing and editing content for Officer.com. Previously, Paul worked as a reporter for several newspapers in the suburbs of Baltimore, MD.
