This is the date on the calendar which our generation will never forget. It has now been eleven years, but it seems like yesterday, for the threats that became harsh reality on that day are in many ways still with us.

On September 12, 2001 I wrote a letter to the editor for my local paper. As we give honor to the first responders who became the heroes, remember all who lost their lives, and continue to deal with the results of those violent attacks, I believe it fitting to review the full text of my words written eleven years ago:

“The recent terrorist attacks are senseless acts of cruelty which demand a swift and decisive response. I applaud the president for his calm courage and determination to cure this great wrong with appropriate justice. Yet despite all the best efforts to defend this great land and its free people, we should never be confident in our own strength.

“As I helplessly watched this catastrophe unfold on my television it reminded me how fragile life is, and how vulnerable we all are in today’s uncertain world. Many similar scenarios of destruction can be imagined and we all know there are far too many people who would willingly be the agents of such despicable acts. On September 11, we saw that chilling reality. These shocking events underscore the very significant spiritual dimension to all of life, including that which concerns our country as a whole and its public policies. At this time we should reaffirm our hope and confidence in the Creator of all, because it is only through God’s protective grace that life is even possible.

“Let us pray as a country. Pray for those directly impacted by this tragedy. Pray for peace in our land. Trusting alone in our human systems and security measures will always prove to be a false hope. We must be diligently doing what we can, from our human perspective, but also we must intentionally seek God’s forgiveness for past failures and seek His mercy and protection for the future. Only then can we build that strong foundation of which president Bush spoke. Only then can we as a nation truly be prosperous for our children and grandchildren in this challenging world of the twenty first century.”

-Kevin Lundberg, 9/12/01