Never Forget
Rachael Devinney
The Signal
This year marks the 12th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Americans have not forgotten, but have we lost sight of what it means to remember?
AT&T tweeted a photo of a smartphone taking a photo of the Tribute of Light. In what they meant to be a commemorative tweet, AT&T offended many Americans in what was interpreted as blatant marketing. AT&T was not the only company to capitalize off of this day. A Wisconsin golf course offered a special on Sept. 11 for nine holes and a golf cart for $9.11. Other companies felt compelled to tweet their condolences with a simple “We Will Never Forget.”
Memorial Day has slowly turned into a day of commercialism. Instead of families coming together to remember those they lost, they spend the day hunting for the best deal on a mattress, or fighting over the best spot at the beach. National holidays are being turned into shopping events, rather than time to spend with one another. Let’s not even mention Thanksgiving Day sales or what the holiday season has turned into.
Memorial Day is a day to remember all those who have given their lives while serving in the United States Armed Forces. In honor of those who gave their lives fighting for our country, families come together to celebrate life with BBQ and loved ones. While this should be a somber day of remembrance, it has turned into a day of mattress sales and discounts at our favorite stores.
So far, Pearl Harbor Day has remained a day of respect in America. It may be true that not everyone remembers exactly what happened on Dec. 7, 1941, especially the younger generations, but you do not see sales on Pearl Harbor Day, nor do you see companies trying to commercialize off of the tragedy that occurred that day. We spend Dec. 7 remembering and honoring those who died in an attack on by Japan on Dec. 7, 1941. Pearl Harbor Day is an example of how Americans should remember our loved ones who have perished in an attack on American soil.
Sept.11 should be a day of remembrance. We should never forget what happened that horrible day. But should we honor and remember it by fighting through crowds of people to get a deal on the newest TV? No, friends and family should come together in remembrance of those who have fought and died in order for us to freely do so.
Should we continue to allow big businesses to commercialize off of our sorrow? No. If we all stand together and refuse to allow big business to profit off of these national tragedies we will be ensuring that those who perished did not do so in vain.
We will come together as friends, families and as a nation.
We will remember.
We will never forget.
