Today is a powerful day. The stillness brings on thoughts of an eerie silence in the skies on a cloudless September day. No airplanes could be seen. The sidewalks were quieted as people sat motionless in front of their television waiting and watching as two stalwart towers were erupting in flames. What can you say in a moment like that? What words can capture the feelings of helplessness and fear that overtake a person’s being? Nothing.

Like the silence of that horrible September day, we remember the images of our world crumbling around us. Technology could not save us then and it cannot save us now. We now know it could have empowered us more if we had used it to its fullest potential but isn’t that true of everything?

Today is a somber day. A day to remember. A day to commit so that such a day will not easily revisit us. In your moment of silence, feel the pain of over 2500 souls crying in the depth of despair and commit to make a difference. In your moment of silence, remember those who were left to pick up the pieces and commit to make a difference. Today is a new day that has been defined by one brief moment in time. We will never be the same. We will never see airplanes and towers the same way again. Today, our commitment is to the future. Not to technology, not to change but to the promise that we have learned something from our tragedy. That we will respect each other more. That we will embrace life with more enthusiasm. That we will use our talents for the betterment of humanity and not for mere self-improvement.

Today is a new day. Today is a challenge from our past to define a better future. Have we learned our lesson?