For the first time since the terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people 11 years ago, the Sept. 11 memorial service at ground zero will not include speeches from politicians.
The decision, made months ago by the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum and led by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, is supposed to be a way of keeping the service pure, honoring the victims and letting their families grieve in peace.
Some say ignoring the policies, wars and patriotism brought on by the attacks shortchanges the memory of the day. We believe simplifying the service is a touching and merciful decision that has the potential to remind us all of what is most important.
To clutter this day with speeches, promotions and politics is to stray from the simple fact that, 11 years ago, nearly 3,000 lives ended. People who went to work and school, who raised children and grandchildren, who had dreams and plans for the future, saw all that come to an end in some few moments of confusion one morning.
Yes, the implications of attacks that took their lives should be addressed. But it is enough, on this one day a year, to silence all those thoughts, and simply remember and reverence those nearly 3,000 people - to show sympathy for their families and to show gratitude for what we who were untouched still have.
Perhaps the decision to leave politics out of the ground zero service also reflects somewhat on the nature of the political discussion we've been seeing in society lately.
Eleven years ago, extremism caused the deaths of those nearly 3,000 people. Today, extremism of another kind is causing a lot of political alienation and confusion. If political discourse can't be kept civil, it certainly doesn't belong in a memorial service. It doesn't belong anywhere.
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