A solemn day in world history occurred six years ago, yesterday. And somehow, throughout the years, a few Americans seem to have lost sight of what 9-11 means in the grand scheme of humanity.
It is unfortunate that some people in the University community don't understand the day's significance. Those who died in the attacks against the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania will rest forever in our hearts and minds - even as the media slowly creeps 9-11 coverage away from the front page.
But the day itself should remain as one of reflection and mourning, for posterity's sake - much like Pearl Harbor and D-Day.
Therefore, it is tasteless and repugnant for groups of any sort on campus to use September 11th as a publicity stunt. This seems to be the case with an antiwar group at UB, who choose to use the day to hold an "informational meeting." A meeting that, in the past, has evolved into something more like a protest.
Please remember that this is not an issue of political alignment - liberal or conservative, democrat or republican - it is an issue of integrity.
To use the 2,974 people that died on that day for one's own personal gain is beyond distasteful. Whether it's to rally support for a war in Iraq, or to rally disapproval for that same war, the issue remains: those that died are not symbols. They are victims, with families, friends and neighbors who still mourn their loss.
Not one year should go by that we don't think about how our departed fellow Americans have influenced the freedoms we so cherish, but we must avoid the day where those deaths become merely symbols distorted for a cause, even if the "other side" is doing so.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
