Tomorrow is Sept. 11, 2004.
Four years ago, that would not have meant anything to us. Butbecause of the horrendous events that took place three years ago,it does. Thoughts, memories and the classic "where were you?"continue to appear in conversations to this day.
It should be noted, however, that our thoughts tend to berelative to time.
The question has to be asked: How long will it be before "Sept.11, 2001" becomes another day in the history books, worthy not ofobsessive news coverage or dramatic remembrance ceremonies? Whatwill it take to put the thoughts and memories in the back of minds,thus ceasing their painful lingering?
When will Sept. 11 simply become an anniversary?
On Sept. 11, 2003, the DAILY NEWS ran a front page package whichfeatured the five stages of dealing with death as presented byfamed psychologist Elizabeth Kubler-Ross. These five stages aredenial, anger, bargaining, depression and, ultimately,acceptance.
While it seems as if the United States as a country cycledthrough the first four stages of the grieving process, it is stillunclear as to if America has accepted the events of Sept. 11, 2001and made its peace with it.
One group that it will most likely take longer to reach a levelof acceptance with are the large set survivors of the victims' ofthe attack. Yet, they do not stand alone in their grief.
Easily overlooked are the survivors of those whom lose theirlives in the "War on Terror" that the United States is currentlywaging in response to the largest terror action ever on Americansoil.
For the people fighting and dying overseas, as well as theirloved ones, the events of Sept. 11 are still very real. WithPresident Bush recently saying that the war on terror may trulynever be won, the events have the potential to stay so for a longtime to come.
These are the indirect victims of Sept. 11. These are peoplethat may have never seen New York, the Pentagon or that field inPennsylvania. These are the people that may have never met oneperson who died that day.
Yet now, they are the ones who are making the sacrifice. Someare doing it out of patriotism, and some are doing it because theyhave little to no other option.
Still, no matter what their reasoning, their sacrifice is thesame, and, unfortunately, their day of peace and acceptance may bethe longest off of all.
And for that very reason, the thoughts of Sept. 11 will continueto linger.
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