Coda: 9/11 -

Just a note: Interesting, how 9/11, by not becoming a public day of observance for the general public, has become a more private memorial -rememberance for the families of those who died. Which is of course reasonable since they have suffered the greatest losses. However, for the rest of us, I hope that we can see the Towers of Light this evening, weather permitting, since it is a certain kind of shared experience as 9/11 was a shared experience/ reaction. Strange how, for millions of us who were touched by the events of 9/11, most of us do not really observe it formally. We go to work, to school. Am I wrong or does even the Mayor seem to be pressing the idea of "Getting Beyond It"... But it seems to have so much personal meaning for most of us; even if it was only experienced through the media. Headlines around the world still reference it. And with due respect to all who observe all other holidays and memorial days, 9/11, although not an official holiday, seems to have more deeply felt personal meaning than say, Labor day, Columbus day, Veteran's Day, even Independence Day... perhaps the fact that it is not a public, official holiday gives it greater urgency or cogency....perhaps there is something about 9/11 that embodies all of these other holidays -- freedom, service, sacrifice, and the values and costs of liberty.

Even the Towers of Light suggest the Enlightenment..

en·light·en·ment Pronunciation: in-'lI-t&n-m&nt, en-Function: noun1 : the act or means of enlightening : the state of being enlightened : a philosophic movement of the 18th century marked by a rejection of traditional social, religious, and political ideas and an emphasis on rationalism


--Brooklyn Beat
9/11/07