Memories evolve or perhaps simply soften to allow the memory to become a part of us we can reconcile and commit to our very being as we live our day to day lives. Some memories remain so vivid that the passage of time does little to assuage the pain of the memory holder and their families. Some of these memories are personal, some are communal shared by the larger population.

Some are created by being a victim, a witness, or first responder, or by watching the wall-to-wall live media coverage of a large-scale attack on our way of life. Each memory is filtered by the perspective of the memory holder. This year, we commemorate the 20th anniversary of the heinous September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States. Most of us remember where we were, and how life changed that day. One of the greatest changes since this day of sacrifice is the current climate of polarization, apathy, and open hostility against the members of law enforcement.

We must strive to recapture the spirit of a nation that responded with unity and courage to meet the challenges of that dreadful day and beyond. The days following these events police officers, emergency medical teams, and fire fighters across the nation were embraced by their communities and approached by citizens offering thanks for the acts of selflessness seen within their communities and in the media coverage of the high profile attacks we commemorate this week. Who will ever forget the looks of resolve, courage, and a knowingness of what dangers they were facing as the first responders entered into that deadly tower.

Today we encourage you to look around you at those community first responders who still embrace and humbly display characteristics of courage, empathy, and resolve to serve their communities and represent themselves and their chosen profession well. The new dangers are sometimes clear and present dangers or they may be invisible as we fight this pandemic,. As you continue to look around do not fail to see the greater commonality we all share as community members moving forward to overcome these current challenge with the same vigor that allowed us to conquer the travails of the past. Stout hearts.