Remembering 9/11: A day of Reflection and Unity
Posted on: September 11, 2023
Tigerville, SC (September 11, 2023) On this solemn day of September 11, Americans across the nation join in remembrance and prayer for the lives lost and the enduring impact of the tragic events that unfolded 22 years ago. September 11, 2001, stands as a stark reminder of the fragility of human existence and the importance of faith, hope, and unity in the face of adversity.
A 2009 North Greenville University Alumnus and Tigerville Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Daniel Hanson said the number 343 sticks in his mind. He is reflecting on the number of firefighters killed during the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center buildings in New York on September 11, 2001.
Thousands of Americans lost their lives on that morning 22 years ago and for many, the memory remains fresh.
“I was in ninth grade. We had just finished chapel at our school, and we were headed to our next class. Our teachers brought us in and explained what was happening. We didn’t know what it all meant at the time,” Hanson said.
As he lowered the American flags at the Tigerville Fire Department to half-staff and set up a display to honor the lives lost on that day, Hanson said his department wants to make sure that day isn’t forgotten.
For first responders in New York, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, September 11, 2001, was a day that began with good weather and morning routines. Reflecting on a similar day in 2023, Hanson said the tragedy puts his career into perspective.
“We’re all prepared for the worst-case scenario. We come to work with the mindset that today could be the day. We accept that and make peace with that,” he said. “We just want to help people on their worst days.”
As Christians, we come together to pray for peace, healing, and reconciliation. We pray for an end to violence, hatred, and terrorism in our world. We pray for the strength to forgive and the wisdom to seek understanding and reconciliation with those who have caused harm.
We stand united in the face of tragedy, echoing the teachings of Jesus to love our neighbors as ourselves. We honor the memory of those who perished by committing ourselves to acts of kindness, compassion, and service, reflecting the light of Christ’s love in a world that can sometimes seem dark and divided.
North Greenville University also remembers the day by lowering its campus flags to half-staff and has organized a remembrance display outside its Tingle Student Center.
