PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS THE SECOND OF TWO POSTS FOR SEPTEMBER 11.  THE LINK TO THE FIRST IS HERE.

My Personal Memories of 9-11-01: Among the memories are the following half-dozen links, each filling a tiny part of the story of the time immediately before 9-11-01; 9-11 itself, and the time after.  Those of us who experienced 9-11 wherever and however that entered lives know there was an immense amount of communication through the means available which, at the time, included e-mail, but did not include any of the social media we take for granted today.  (Facebook was the first to arrive, in 2004.)  The references to kid art came from my good friend, Kathy, then a 5th grade teacher.  Some years ago I photocopied the first 100 days of e-mails after 9-11 which totaled several hundred pages, and gave them to the Minnesota Historical Society for Archival and future research purposes.)

The elementary school kids who did the art are now in their mid-30s.  Their generation is much in my mind as I write this.  What is their future?

My suggestion with the below is simply to browse and pay attention to whatever you wish.  My personal thoughts today follow the links.

First my 2000 Christmas card and message, and 2001 Christmas card and message.  For many years I did ‘homemade’ cards generally motivated by some noteworthy event in the preceding year.

Assorted e-correspondence

9-11-01 Aftermath;

Sep 10 to 24 2001;

Sep 10, 2001.

My family website Reflecting on 9-11-01 (scroll down)

What this all means to me, 25 years later:

My personal interpretation, and that is all that I have, was my very major disappointment following 9-11-01 on its use as an excuse to go to war, compounding the civilian and military deaths that continue to this day.  A small group of evil doers. mostly Saudi, were successful beyond their wildest dreams, and I’m not talking about their success in destroying buildings and lives in New York City, Washington DC and Shanksville PA.  They have permanently damaged. our entire society, and they were all instantly dead on 9-11-01.

Back in 2001. we almost immediately were directed into a war footing which officially lasted until closing Afghanistan operations in 2021.  The consequences of that 20 year was continue to this day.

I began this little project intending to look at the 50 years prior to 9-11-01, the 25 years subsequent to it, and to think about the 50 years to come from today. 1950-2000 was a time of almost continuous conflict: Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, the Nuclear Arms Race, Sen. Joe McCarthy and the anti-Communist hysteria.

In the 25 years between 9-11-01 and today came almost continuous war and an increase in tribalism within our own society, and labeling of others as enemies, even though the label is undeserved.  We seem as a society to want enemies, to dominate others.  It is not healthy.  Each person has their own stories, and maybe if there is any benefit from this exercise, is that individuals will take time to assess how we all fit into the problem, and into the solution.

I repeat the recommendation I mentioned in the previous post – the potential value of “The Work in Progress”.

There is an unexpected bonus to this process.  Last night, we were among about 100 in a St. Paul theatre, joining thousands of other around the country in the premier of an important film, ‘The Work In Progress“.  You will glad you attended when it arrives in your area.  Check it out.  

I don’t know the details of future distribution.  I only know from personal experience that it is a thought provoking film.

Let’s work together for a. better world. Today’s children deserve it.