Why we can't forget 9/11

In just days the August calendar turns its page to September and with it flows Sept. 11 remembrances, the day "we lost our innocence."

Local citizens say we should never forget Sept. 11, that infamous day they liken to the attack on Pearl Harbor. With its horrors embedded in the public's mind, folks had plenty to say when asked if citizens should bury Sept. 11 and move on with life.

Calling the attacks and their effects a "senseless loss of life," Rica Cuff of Hoffman Estates says to bury it would be senseless.

"Bury? No, 9/11 happened and it is part of history now," Cuff said. "It was a senseless loss of life. We should garner knowledge from it and use it to keep anything like it from ever happening again."

Longtime Hoffman Estates resident Pat Kolvek, who says she grew up in a secure world and realizes her grandchildren reside in one of uncertainty, said Sept. 11, 2001, was the day "we lost our innocence. The fear I had when I thought we were being attacked was real and for the first time in my life I knew what other innocent people felt when their countries were attacked," Kolvek said. "I am disappointed in politicians and believe our foreign policy needs to be improved."

Retired State Sen. Kay Wojcik says that terrorism is something to stay aware of and remembering those who died is imperative. "If we forget and become complacent, they will sense it and attack again," Wojcik said. "We must continue our defenses and be strong."

Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod agrees and each year prepares a fitting ceremony, this year under the banner "Hoffman Estates Remembers: A Tribute to Courage" but the time and venue changes. It will be at 8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 outdoors at the Village Green Amphitheatre, 2850 Pratum Ave. in the Prairie Stone Business Park instead of in the evening in the village hall.

"We should never forget the horrific event that was Sept. 11, 2001, when thousands were slaughtered by fanatics," McLeod said.

Veteran's Commission member Bill Walsh who said he thought long and hard, says, "Wake up, America. The government continues to aid the enemy by identifying inconsistencies in our security and pointing out the most vulnerable areas to direct the next attack. We must not forget for a minute what that enemy is capable of. No one thought it strange that foreigners requested training on how to fly but not to land an airplane."

The infamous horrors can't be forgotten, according to Martha Curcio who summarized her beliefs and what the others said.

"We cannot forget but need to learn from this horrible attack (even after seven years) on our country," Curcio said, "and do whatever needs to be done to prevent future attacks."

Next week two women and three men give their opinions on how Sept. 11 is likened to Pearl Harbor.