It is sad to say, but few of the people that I worked with mentioned anything about 9/11 today. Those that did felt that the time had come to get over it and treat it the same as other neglected anniversaries. After all how important was the 7th of December seven years after Pearl Harbor? But by Pearl Harbor’s seventh anniversary the war with Japan was over while many of the terrorists who planned and supported the 9/11 attack are still alive and working towards further violence against our society. Al Qaeda and the Taliban are now firmly entrenched in what is usually described as the tribal areas of Pakistan. Their strength and influence is steadily growing. This is an election year but I do not believe this is a partisan issue. I do believe it is an issue of perseverance. I understand that it is a complicated problem and I do not claim to have the solution. But something has to be done or 9/11 will not always remain the only anniversary of an important terrorist attach on America. Now is not the time to forget.

I purposely limit my posting on the Simon and Kirby blog to writings about comic book artists and their art. This just does not seem to be the place to discuss topics like my political views or personal opinions. I have made an exception to commemorate the lives lost in the terrorist attach on this day now six years ago. I trust my readers will forgive me this deviation from my normal writings. This year has brought some people calling for us to put this annual memorial behind us. They say that enough time has past to put an end to our collective mourning. One writer provide examples of other national calamities that we no longer pay an annual tribute to, such as the sinking of the Maine or Pearl Harbor. The irony for me was although I have no idea when the Maine sank, every December 7th I do think about the Japanese attack and the U.S. participation in the war that followed. I think this is because it had such a big impact on the lives of my parents, aunts and uncles. Nonetheless it is expected that the pain we feel will diminish with the passing of time and I have no problem with those who have already reached that point about the events of 9/11. However I do call for them to be tolerant of those of us who have not yet made that transition. For now though this day continues to brings a touch a sadness to me each year. I am not a vengeful person, but I suspect I would find it easier to put 9/11 behind me were it not for the fact that so many of the perpetrators of that crime are still at large with the full intent of inflicting further atrocities against us.

I was prepared to post on another Captain America double page splash. Although my work day was busy enough to keep my mind off the date, now that I am home the old feelings return. As I look out my window I can see the lights extending from the former site of the World Trade Center up into the clouds. It is a very moving memorial.

I live in Chelsea, the lower west side, not too distant from the ground zero. I could write about my experiences of those days but today is not about me, it is about the people who suffered from that terrible attack. Too many went to work that day like any normal person, but before the morning was over they became American heroes.