Our view: Remember gratitude on Sept. 11

The nation bows its head in reverence Sunday – 10 years to the day after a deadly morning that changed so much.

What do you feel as you think back to where you were when you heard the news on Sept. 11? Sorrow? Anger? Grief? Horror?

It’s hard to imagine not revisiting some of those feelings on this decade anniversary.

Yet as all these feelings come rushing back from the past, it may be healthy to consider embracing one other emotion: gratitude.

In the same way many of us thank veterans on Memorial Day, Sunday is a chance to let public safety workers know their service is important.

When you recall the images of firefighters, police and emergency workers storming the Twin Towers with a singular mission – helping others – all the other emotions wash away, at least for a little while. All that’s left is gratitude and appreciation.

The fact is, these emergency workers stand at the ready everywhere – from Woodbury to Washington, D.C. – prepared for the worst. And they’re prepared to help us. All of us.

When duty calls, they answer without hesitation. It might be easy for some of us to take their service for granted. But think about it for just a moment: when they rush into danger, they often have no idea what lies ahead.

Put bluntly, they may die.

That’s not a risk most of us live with in our jobs. Most jobs aren’t life or death. For public safety workers, it’s always about life and death. Preserve life. Prevent death.

Sound a little heavy? It should. We shouldn’t take jobs like that for granted.

Yes, we gnash our teeth in anger. We can’t help but shake our heads at the unthinkable images we witnessed 10 years ago. And of course we grieve the lost from that tragic day.

But we’re also grateful that we have courageous public safety workers who answer the bell when we’re in need.

Consider spreading that gratitude on Sunday.

Tags: our view, opinion, updates