When I visited the tomb of the poet Dante in Ravenna, Italy, a few weeks ago, a French woman who was also there asked me why Americans continually use the phrase “Never forget” when it comes to commemorating Sept. 11 each year.
She was not asking critically. She said the phrase “never forget” touched her soul, but she also noted that Europeans, as a rule, are accustomed to living in a culture replete with historic symbolism. Europeans, she said, would find it nearly impossible to forget almost any important historical event because they live amid centuries of imagery that always seems to be pointing here or there, like a compass perpetually set to true north.
I thought of her insightful observation Friday when I visited the National Mall in Washington, D.C., where I live, on the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11.
An organization on whose board I am honored to serve, Young America’s Foundation (YAF), has made it its mission to make sure Americans never forget — there is that phrase again — the tragedy, horror, terrorism and inexplicability of that fateful day.
YAF accomplishes its goal by organizing the annual “9/11: Never Forget Project” on college campuses and in public spaces nationwide. Since 2003, YAF estimates that more than 14.5 million small flags have been displayed in those spaces to remember the innocent lives lost on Sept. 11.
Twenty-five years ago, on Sept. 11, I was working at the White House preparing for a meeting with President George W. Bush when mayhem and multiple terrorist attacks beset our nation like an evil colossus — in Washington, in New York and in Shanksville.
Rare national unity broke out organically and instantly. Members of the House and Senate gathered on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, just blocks from the Focus on the Family Washington, D.C., office, to join hands and sing the national anthem.
The most common symbol of that moment of national unity was a plethora of flags popping up everywhere like the dandelions of summertime: on porches, in lapels, from building windows and on car and truck bumpers.
Because of YAF, the flags of September reappear regularly on the schoolyards of colleges and universities nationwide, like the swallows of the Mission at San Juan Capistrano.
Today, YAF volunteers descended on the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol in light rain showers, like tears from God, and planted countless small flags in one of our nation’s most prominent backyards.
I spent time there reflecting. I spoke with Democrats and Republicans, progressives and conservatives, and people from all around our beloved nation.
Unity was there, present and accounted for. I praised God for that all-too-rare unity.
A man from Idaho told me that we must never forget.
I nodded in agreement.
We shall never forget. And just to make sure, YAF will be there year upon year, planting its flags in defense of liberty and freedom, for unity and light in an epoch too often fostering disunion and darkness.
That’s a great tribute to the men and women who gave their lives on that day of infamy 25 years ago.
May they rest in heavenly, eternal peace.
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