9/11 is a day of remembrance and service. It is a day that resonates differently for different people. For some, memories of the day evoke conversations of 'where were you when'; for others, it is a day in history that is remembered without being lived. This year is the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and is particularly fresh in many minds, given the recent withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.
Regardless of how you connect to 9/11—the truth is, it isn't an easy day—we grieve, we remember, we reflect, we talk, and then we put all of that into action in service. However, that service, like our experience of the day, differs. Some focus their work on helping those who lost loved ones. Other service efforts are borne out of the many repercussions of the day, including the deployment of US troops to Afghanistan and the negative stereotypes that arose about Muslims in the aftermath of the attacks.
In serving on 9/11, we acknowledge our fears but prioritize our hope that in working together for the common good—in doing whatever it is that makes us feel most hopeful about the future—we play a role in making that brighter future come true. On 9/11, we celebrate Jefferson Award winners and Multiplying Good community members who serve or have served in relation to the legacy of 9/11 and offer ways for all of us to do our part to multiply good.