September 11, 2024 Read Time:
SharingMental Health9/11School Safety
There is a lot going well in our communities, but today, on the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, I want to take a moment to recognize that this time feels deeply unsettling for many of us. September 11, 2001 forever altered our society when 19 terrorists hijacked four planes, crashing two into the Twin Towers in New York City, one into the Pentagon, and the fourth in a Pennsylvania field. In total, 2,977 lives were lost that day—the greatest loss of life from a foreign attack on American soil.
For many of us, September 11th was a defining moment. We can still recall where we were, the disbelief, the pain, and the overwhelming sense that life as we knew it had changed forever. For our children, however, this day is simply an event they learn about in school, distant and removed from their personal experience.
In another sense, I understand how this disconnect feels. Growing up, I never experienced lockdown drills or lived with the constant threat of school shootings. But for our children, this fear is all too real. Just a few days ago, a 14-year-old opened fire in a Georgia high school, tragically taking four lives. It was at least the 45th school shooting in the U.S. in 2024—the deadliest one so far this year.
Our turbulent political climate makes matters even worse as we inch closer to Election Day, adding even more weight to what we are already carrying.
We are all shouldering a lot right now—and none of us should have to do it alone. I encourage you to take the time to pause, reflect on what this week means to you, and lean on one another for support. Together, we can share the burden of these difficult moments, and draw strength from our community. Let’s lean on each other, share what’s on our minds, and keep showing up for one another.
Take care of yourselves, and each other today, and every day.
