The anniversary of 9/11 has come and gone for one more year but, hopefully, it won’t become like some holidays that get attention for a few short hours and then fades into memory for another 364 days out of the year.

Locally, there were a few events that marked the eight-year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that brought the World Trade Center Twin Towers crashing down, devastated the Pentagon, sent another flight crashing into a Pennsylvania field and forever scarred our nation.

We are encouraged to see that many haven’t forgotten the impact of these events that changed our lives and affected millions of Americans.

It is also fitting that the day has become a way to focus on service to our communities and giving back to those in need, ideals and principles central to the firefighters, police officers and emergency workers who were among the nearly 3,000 men, women and children killed.

We hope to see all citizens take a few moments to reflect on what 9/11 did to our nation, to reflect on all the lives it impacted and think back to the emotions that we all felt as we watched in horror at the newscasts of the towers crumbling.

Now is time to channel those feelings into positive energy that can be used to not only rebuild New York City but to strengthen our entire nation.

We need to carry that with us each and every day of the year, never forgetting what makes America the greatest nation on the planet.

By doing that, we will be stronger for it, become more unified in our resolve and work together to honor the memories and the spirit of all who were killed on Sept. 11, 2001.

Moving America forward is the greatest legacy for which anyone could strive.