This Tuesday, Sept. 11, was the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. It was a time to reflect and to remember the families of the victims and those first responders who later passed away after working in the dangerous health conditions of “ground zero.”

The City of Bainbridge organized a beautiful “Hometown Heroes” ceremony to mark the occasion, and we salute all of the speakers and volunteers who helped make that ceremony a success. We hope that every year will feature a similar event, because it is certainly a day that we should never forget.

One of the permanent memories of Sept. 11, 2001, is the fact that all Americans, regardless of race, gender, age, religion or economic status, came together to mourn the lost and to proclaim in one loud voice that we would not forget, and that we are all Americans.

It is fitting that this day should fall in the middle of a political campaign that has featured two parties and political philosophies that have been constantly at each other’s throats from the beginning. Perhaps it will serve as a reminder that all Americans, whether Republican or Democratic, black or white, native-born or legal immigrant, have similar goals, similar hopes and similar dreams, and we can all work together to make this a better nation.

Never forget the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and never forget that we are all Americans.