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The Soapbox

Solemn weekend:

We don’t fully understand the magic of some numbers, but this 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorism surely carries a solemnity not evident in previous annual remembrances. Our world and our communities have moved on, as we must, but on this occasion, we don’t just recall the events of that day, we relive them — and are somehow better for it.

A time for sharing:

You can rekindle the sense of unity, strength and security of the days following 9/11 at a local commemoration this weekend. For a time near you, see a list of events at dailyherald.com. Or, at least be sure to stop and reflect during the nationwide Moment of Remembrance at noon Sunday.

Service with smiles:It#146;s especially gratifying to see local groups turning sadness into service. Among the generous acts are a charity raffle at an Elk Grove Village church, assembly of packets for fire victims in Bensenville, a blood drive in Glen Ellyn, a chili cook-off in Geneva to benefit families of fallen firefighters, and school choir concert fundraiser in Lake Zurich.Soaring return:We#146;re just remembering the sight of that first commercial airplane soaring above in the clear blue sky a few days after the 9/11 tragedy. Couldn#146;t help but stop what we were doing that day to salute the flight as things started to return to whatever could be considered normal after that terrible week.A consoling step:There was some debate about whether to cancel suburban football games the Friday after the attacks. Only three days out, Americans were hurting badly. And even though professional football and baseball games were postponed, high schools moved forward and played their games. That prudent decision led to one of the first opportunities to bring community members together.Safety the sole reason:There#146;s talk that travelers soon won#146;t have to remove their shoes during security checks at airports. While this is welcome news, let#146;s hope not too many of us complained about this minor inconvenience, since it was done for nothing more than our safety.Interfaith movement for peace:The Rev. Corey Brost, of the clerics of St. Viator, got a national award for creating the Children of Abraham Coalition, a diverse group of teens and religious leaders who promote understanding and tolerance. In combating the hatred that both caused the attacks and then was spawned by them, the Children put their faith in humanity into action.Special thanks:As you#146;re reflecting on the lessons of 9/11, be sure to give some thought and honor to the undisputed heroes of that day #8212; firefighters, police and emergency responders. We sometimes take them for granted. Sept. 11 reminded us of the selfless dedication with which they serve every day.A nod to our own:Journalists often push their personal feelings aside to cover tough stories. On 9/11, Daily Herald reporters and editors swallowed their own horror and flooded the newsroom to keep readers informed and to help them understand and heal. Tears would come, but they would have to wait. Perhaps you experienced the same commitment in your profession. Remember.