11th Year Anniversary

The problem with anniversaries - is that we only really pause to remember something "one time" per year.

What is more, even this one day per year loses some urgency.  As the years pass, the 11th and 12th Anniversaries don't take on as much significance as the 10th Anniversary.  We let these middle anniversaries dwindle in time - until we get to the 20th or 25th or 30th anniversaries.

We're forgetful.

As we approach the 11th anniversary of September 11th, 2001.

11 years later.   

84,000 American troops remain in Afghanistan.    

On average, one U.S. soldier dies everyday.  A mother’s son, a father’s daughter, a sister, a brother, a mother, a father.   

Every. Single. Day.   Few Americans notice. 

Afghan losses are not reported. They, too – are mother, father, brother, sister.  

11 years later.   

My hope is that we’ll remember these who grieve, and work for a world characterized by peace for all nations and people groups - so that when the 20th or 25th Anniversary comes - we can take note of how the world has become better, more peaceful, more loving, more charitable, more kind - since September 11th, 2001.  Not only in America - but in the world.

Toward eupan ~

~ marty alan michelson, ph.d.