From the Editor

The cost of remembering 9/11

COVID–19 has threatened every aspect of our lives, which today includes our promise to never forget the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Since the pandemic hit, crowds that would have visited the memorial, the museum, and the One World Trade Observatory in Manhattan, have diminished.

The 9/11 museum is largely dependent on ticket sales. Last year, its “temporary closure and limited capacity left the institution with an $18 million deficit,” reported The New York Times. The financial impact has significantly reduced the budget for this year's 20 th anniversary memorial service to be held at Ground Zero.

As a result, the museum has laid off 60 percent of its exhibitions department staff, and none of the nonprofit organizations that helped after 9/11—including The Salvation Army—are being invited to participate in the official commemoration ceremony. The organizing committee has decided that such groups are among the “special anniversary programming” that had to be cut.

“Leadership has put together the best possible plan to navigate this extraordinary challenging time,” said Marc La Vorgna, a representative of the curators. He said such a plan was necessary to maintain the mission of the museum.

Warren Maye standing at Ground Zero days after the 9/11 attacks.

Nonetheless, 20 years ago The Salvation Army made a promise to never forget what happened on 9/11. Despite budget cuts or whatever else might get in the way, we promised to never forget.

So, this year is the most important observance so far. To assume that our memories of the events of 9/11 will last without an intentional effort to keep them alive would be a mistake. We must and we will stand and be counted among the first responders to arrive at Ground Zero; offer extraordinary support; and in the aftermath, be among the last to leave.

In this issue of SACONNECTS, we’ll include a recent visit to the new One World Trade Center tower and reflect on what happened, share testimonies from people who were children on 9/11, and look back at the Salvation Army's response to other recent disasters as part of its traditional and ongoing ministry.

Join us, as we fulfill our promise, regardless of the cost.

WARREN L. MAYE, Editor in Chief