The evening I visited the 9/11 Memorial in February of 2019, light rain started falling as I exited the building. I walked around the dedication to those lost on that horrific day nearly 23 years ago. Decisions made by those trapped were even more impactful when I saw the vastness of the area and could see for myself the heights of the buildings based on One World Trade Center next door to the memorial.

When you’re young and learning about history in school, you tend to read the few paragraphs in your schoolbook and move on without much feeling. I’m sure I was that way when I learned about the Civil War, WWI, and WWII.

Being married to a Vietnam Veteran for 25 years opened my eyes to the true impact on someone who lived it.

The same can be said for those in NYC, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania, who were there and saw things unfold before their eyes. I only saw it on the screen and know the impact it had on me.

Today, I was picking herbs from my garden. I walked into the door when my husband called me into the living room to tell me former President Donald Trump had just been shot at a rally. He had read it on his phone and was turning the news on the television.

Much like I learned about 9/11, I watched the story unfold before my eyes on the screen. I heard the popping sound coming through the TV speakers, as the former President grabbed at his right ear and dropped below the podium. The Secret Service arrived swiftly, and I felt such relief when Mr. Trump could stand, wave at the crowd, and walk away.

In those quick seconds of watching this happen, I suddenly thought back to the 1960’s when three leaders were assassinated a few years apart. With tears in my eyes, I found myself asking what was happening?

While the newscast was on, I checked social media to see if I could learn more news. Some of it was kind and some of it was ugly.

One comment on the social media channel X caught my eye. It was from someone who is running for president, as an opponent to both the current President and the former President. Robert Kennedy, Jr. was 10 when his uncle, President John F. Kennedy, was assassinated. Only a few years later, he was with his father, Senator Robert Kennedy, when he was assassinated.

Robert Kennedy, Jr.’s words, “Now is the time for every American who loves our country to step back from the division, renounce all violence, and unite in prayer for President Trump and his family.”

Also on X, the 4th most popular thing trending right after the assassination attempt was “Civil War.” This is NOT something we should want to ever see trending in the United States of America. I took a screen shot of it, as it was hard for me to believe what I was reading.

An American citizen lost their life for attending a political rally and two others were injured, aside from the former President. Some family will have to face the news that they have lost a loved one. I pray the two others who were injured survive. They all attended something many of us have attended ourselves in our lives. This could have happened to any of us.

I ask you to harken back to a time when U.S. citizens worked together for the good of the country and not based on party lines. Can you even remember that time?

For me, it was September 12, 2001. That was 23 years ago, almost a quarter of a century. How sad that I had to go back more than two decades. Our country came together as one nation that day and it lasted for a little while. We were not Democrat against Republican or Us vs. Them, we WERE Americans.

On this 248th year of our nation, I pray we will come together again to say this has to stop on all sides. I also pray we never forget how truly blessed we are to live in this great country. Have we forgotten? I pray that is not the case.