What You Had to Say About 9/11

Twelve years ago Wednesday, Americans' lives were changed forever when terrorists hijacked four planes and attacked the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

Nearly 3,000 people died as a result of the attacks, and Americans' lives have been forever changed.

We have vowed to never forget and to stand united. In doing so, on Tuesday we asked our Patch readers across many nearby communities, "Should Sept. 11 be a National Holiday?" and while many of you said "Yes" many of you had this to say:

• I have often thought about this. I do think we should have a national holiday on September 11. It never feels like "just another day", so why not commemorate our lost loved ones? Jamie Decter, Cumming

• I am not sure about a national holiday. Maybe a "Day of Remembrance". All public places could pause for silence and reflection at a predetermined time.(Example,1 pm to 1:03pm) Lynne Walls, Cumming

• I maintain that 9/11 should be a national holiday - but not a day off. No, I believe that we should make 9/11 a national day of service. Imagine: An entire day of school groups, office groups, etc., using that day to jump-start work on all kinds of community service work. What needs to be done? Schools need painting? Food drives and distribution? Public garden creation? Work on Habitat for Humanity houses? Updating the computer systems of an organization that supports underserved populations? The list is virtually endless - and so much of it could be done. Naturally, a single day of service doesn't accomplish the ongoing work that needs to be done in our communities nationwide. But maybe it might jumpstart a passion for community service in just a few people who didn't think of it before. Once a year, we would show the world not only that terror cannot cow us - that we are strong individuals who are stronger together - that we will always rebuild to make our world around us better. Corey Jan Albert - Roswell

• I'm mixed on that one. I feel like it should be a holiday but in the long run people would probably view it as a mere day off for holiday shopping sales. Nancie Gundersen Quinton - Roswell 

• September 11 should not be a national holiday. Like December 7, it should be a day we Americans recall and remember every year that there are those who despise us for no other reason than because we were blessed to be born an American. Never Forget & Never Surrender! Callie Hoyt - Cartersville

• A federal holiday, like where we close America? NO. The only significant change after 9/11/01 was an increase in patriotism. Aside for closures for security reasons, we didn't close businesses then, and we definitely shouldn't now. Do an extra Random Act of Kindness on 9/11, yes. Federal holiday, no. Closing businesses because of evil against America is silliness. Nicki Whitaker Magnuson - Cartersville
  

• 1st thought national memorial day - Lilly Pon - Johns Creek

• I thought it was? Patriot Day? - Becky Lyons Borgia - Woodstock-Towne Lake

• One local radio station B98.5 is having a list of businesses with freebies/discounts for first responders tomorrow. I will be offering free hearing screenings to first responders from 9-2 at Hearing Improvement Center of Monroe 500 Great Oaks Dr. Ste. 13 Monroe, GA 30655 678-635-7307. I am from NY and was working at a hospital at West Point that day. My dad walked from lower Manhattan across the Brooklyn Bridge to get home. His eyes were swollen shut from crying in the days afterwards. A friend and her retired NY firefighter husband lost entire truck of friends who tried to help. Kerry Cohen - Gwinnett County Patch

• Since the push after 9/11 was to have everything as normal as possible and show the terrorists that we would not be afraid we should not make it a national holiday. I truly believe that most people want it as a holiday for a day off of work. It should be remembered always but it does not have to be a federal holiday. Terrie Reuvers - Gwinnett County Patch

• Terrie, that makes a lot of sense. I think sometimes when we make things a national holiday, they lose their meaning too quickly. Seems to me, when people have to make sacrifices to honor a day, it makes the day that much more honorable. People like Kerry Cohen exemplify that. Terry Osier - Gwinnett County Patch

• Mixed feelings here. Yes, to mourn, to always remember, to mark a terrible day in our history. But no to parties and sales at the stores. I can almost hear it now, "big 9-11 sales." That would be a travesty. - Sue Kelley Kinnan - Canton-Sixes

Karen Goff contributed to this article.