Community Corner
City Councilman on 9/11: We Do a 'Lousy Job' of Remembering
At 89 years old, San Juan Capistrano's Roy Byrnes says we're already forgetting other important dates in American history.
Originally published at 12:16 p.m. Sept. 11, 21013.
On a day of commemorating those who died on 9/11, a San Juan Capistrano City Councilman said we do a “lousy job of remembering.”
Roy Byrnes is 89. So he believes he has a pretty good perspective on the events that have shaped our recent and not-so-recent history – and how we’re already forgetting them.
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The events seem as though they burn themselves into our memories – but then they slip away, Byrnes said.
Just a few days ago, Sept. 3, was the 74th anniversary of the day Britain and France declared war on Germany, officially starting World War II, Byrne said. But no one noticed.
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“Fifty million people died. How do you wrap your head around that? And nobody remembered,” Byrnes said.
Fewer and fewer people are remembering the attack on Pearl Harbor (Dec. 7, 1941) and D-Day (June 6, 1944), Byrnes said, cautioning not to let the same thing with 9/11.
“Everyone remembers the falling bodies [from the World Trade Center towers]. We’ll never forget as long as we’re alive. But in reality, will we remember? As people, we do a lousy job of remembering,” Byrnes said.
The impromptu comments followed a 9/11 ceremony at Orange County Fire Station No. 7 in San Juan Capistrano in front of about 50 people. Byrnes asked for forgiveness because of being “a little emotional.”
“There’s a pattern to these days of crises. We get knocked own flat on our ass and then we get up. …. Of all the days of infamy I’ve referenced, Sept. 11 is the only day we’ve not fought back. We’re just as confused today as were then. Somehow, we’ve lost our internal resolve. Let’s try to do a better job of remembering.”
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