Those of us who were around 25 years ago can relate to this.

On Sept. 10, 2021, I started working for the Department of Defense at a fort in New Jersey. It was what is known as an “Open Fort,” meaning anyone could access the fort … we all know what happened the next day.

Consequently, the fort was closed to all but military and DoD civilians.

I have a personal connection to 9/11. I was coaching my daughter’s softball team around this time, and several of the girls lost family members that day. The church I attended lost nine souls. I lived in the town that has the dubious honor of losing more people than any other single town in the U.S. except for New York City; 37 did not make it home that night.

I watched in horror not only the events of that day, but also the reaction of Muslims in the Middle East. I wrote an article for a local newspaper asking, “Where are the moderate Muslims?” asking if any would come out and say this was a dastardly deed ... crickets.

One can argue the points of why this act is just or unjust; one side’s terrorist is the other side’s freedom fighter.

From my standpoint, this was a terroristic act perpetrated by ideology, and we should never forget or forgive this type of action.

Just one man’s opinion.

Joseph Peters

Palmerton