When is it okay to move on?

The Evergreen Editorial Board struggled with that exact question into the night Sept. 10. We knew and appreciated that in a few short hours it was going to be the 12th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Even as the debate continued and our deadline approached, Ground Zero and New York were already experiencing the first day of a dozen years hence.

Ultimately, and as some of you readers noticed, the decision was made that there would be no singular tribute made in honor of that dark day. The choice was by no means unanimous; strong opinions in the newsroom, in favor of remembrance, gave in to the majority that held that it was more important to move forward in the healing process rather than reopen old wounds.

Twelve years is a long time. Much has happened since that fateful morning. Nations have fought wars, righteous retribution has been wrought, Osama bin Laden is dead, and we have grieved as a nation for every life lost then and since.

But reminders remain. Memories of Iraq linger like a bad dream in many a mind and our returning heroes now bear the scars of war, both visible and invisible, instead of rifles and the people’s mandate for justice.

We are still in Afghanistan and both al Qaeda and the Taliban remain, now more dispersed than ever. Simultaneously, we have reached the first anniversary of the deadly and largely unaccounted for attack on our Benghazi consulate in Libya that resulted in the deaths of four valiant Americans, including our ambassador.

That being said, while we honor our veterans and the loss we experienced on that day and days since, we as a country – as a people – should be focused on healing. Every American will remember 9/11 in their way, whether it be contributing to a day of service, placing a flag in their yard, or with a simple moment of silence.

The Daily Evergreen printed an article about the Center for Civic Engagement’s Day of Service in memory of 9/11 the day prior in order to present our reader’s with the opportunity to participate in a remembrance event.

We considered it our priority to cover the anniversary of 9/11 as it pertained to the Pullman community, and that it was not the prerogative of this newspaper to force our own version of contemplation upon it.  

Undoubtedly, every individual that experienced 9/11 remembers exactly where they were and the footage of the tragedy will be ingrained in their minds for their rest of their lives.

Rather than simply offer up to our readers stark reminders of even starker times, the Editorial Board concluded that each individual should take on this anniversary in their own fashion. There is a far greater remembrance and honor given to the memory of those lost when individuals act without prompting, without constant reminder.

At the end of the day, this publication is subject to the demands of the community. So we, the Editorial Board of The Daily Evergreen, reach out to you, the reader. Do you believe that the anniversary was mishandled? What would you have liked to have seen in the paper? Should we have dedicated the entire issue, or would a simple tribute have sufficed?

Conversely, do you think that we were right? Is it more important to show that we are stronger than any single event and that we as Americans do not dwell on the past?

Please send us your comments to [email protected] on the matter so that we may better serve this community on the 13^th anniversary.

-Positions taken in staff editorials are usually determined by a majority vote of the Editorial Board. The Editorial Board consists of: Editor-in-chief Christine Rushton, Managing Editor Calley Hair, News Editor Adanna Escobar and Opinion Editor Joel Freeborn. Contact editors at [email protected] to respond or suggest an editorial topic.