Growing up in Brooklyn and attending high school in the shadows of the Twin Towers in the late 90s, I am lucky enough (and old enough) to remember New York before 9/11. Memories like:
Taking in the view with my dad at the Windows on the World restaurant on the 110th floor;
Getting off the subway near home and seeing the Twin Towers peeking over the horizon some 10 miles away;Hiding in their shadow on super-hot days and navigating the labyrinth of tunnels underneath when it was cold and rainy (or a blizzard);It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since the terrorist attacks on New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. That means I’ve lived half my life in a pre-9/11 world and half my life in a post 9/11 world. They say, “never forget”, and for the first few years it seemed impossible to do so —the memories and the scars were still so fresh. But now we must make a concerted effort to remember the lives lost that day – from the innocent victims to the first responders who sacrificed everything to help strangers they didn’t even know.
If you see a firefighter, police officer, an EMS worker, a member of our Armed Forces, a teacher, a healthcare worker, a municipal employee, or anyone else who has dedicated themselves to serving others, thank them. Honor them for all they are doing for you, our community, and our country.
That is how we will never forget.
This year 9/11 happens to coincide with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, and Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. It’s fitting as these holidays are about repentance, forgiveness, turning a new leaf, and having a fresh start.
Wishing you all a happy, healthy new year filled with reflection, peace, and joy.
With love from New York,
Alec
Alec Melman
Co-Founder and CEO
Gotham Artists
