Dear friend -

Most of us remember exactly where we were on September 11th, 2001 when we heard the U.S. had been attacked. We remember what we were doing and who we were with. It was a generational event, like Pearl Harbor or the Kennedy assassination. It’s hard to overstate the way the attacks changed our country forever. And for thousands of us, it defined a generation.

I was in New York City on 9/11. I had just started graduate school. I still remember the sound of F-16s over New York; the smell of clouds of dust and smoke; and the sound of sirens from every fire and police station as they headed towards the towers. By the time the smoke cleared, I knew what I wanted to do with my life — I wanted to go into national security. Within a year, I was recruited by the CIA. And within my first year at Langley, I was sent on my first of three tours in Iraq alongside the military.

Every year, we remember those we’ve lost and the bravery of our first responders who ran toward the danger as the rest of us ran away. I think about those images of ash-covered fire trucks, with no one left to drive them. And I remember so vividly in the months afterwards the constant playing of bagpipes as yet another fire or police officer's remains were laid to rest.

I also find myself focusing on something else from the days and weeks afterwards: the sense of unity across the country that emerged out of the rubble. The shared sense of purpose, unlike I have felt before or since. The feeling that we as Americans were on the same team.

In those early months, we certainly weren't perfect. Muslim-Americans and immigrants were targeted. And the events of 9/11 kicked off an era of significant errors in wars far from home that we’re still grappling with today. But, in our imperfect way, Americans were embodying the idea that while we are very different, and we have lots of difficulties, we love this country and we want it to be a better place.

25 years later, I choose to believe we can be that country again. But at a time when our country feels so divided and that unity can feel so far away, I hope that we’ll all take a minute out of our busy lives, step back, and share our memories with our kids or grandkids: the bravery that our first responders demonstrated, and the resilience and patriotism that communities across our country showed in coming together.

We are still that country. We are on the same team. I refuse to believe that our politics will feel like this forever. And I’m so grateful I got to experience our country united, so I know what we’re aiming to get back to.

Sincerely,

Elissa