September 11, 2001, a day of tragedy, horror and heartbreak. For some, it seems like yesterday, still present in their mind. For others it is, unfortunately, fading away. There is a fine line between moving on and forgetting. While we should move forward, by no means should we forget.

It is a solemn day full of hard and painful memories. Memories that should not be forgotten in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We lost a lot that day, especially lives. Those lives lost, no matter how far in the past they were, should be commemorated, and we should still honor them.

Here we are, 12 years since that day, and instead of remembering the horrors that happened we are debating more horror and potentially more lost lives in the conflict in Syria. I am not saying that we should not be concerned with Syria. We most definitely should be. We must carefully weigh the pros and cons of getting involved with another country.

The problem is, however, the timing of this debate. Instead of commemorating the lives already lost, instead of honoring and remembering them, we are disgracing them. All talk and debate of Syria could easily wait a couple of days.

We are focusing all our thoughts on Syria and completely forgetting what happened on our own soil 12 years ago. We are forgetting the horrors that we faced here, in our home. After the incident first happened, everyone talked about never forgetting it, always remembering. It was even put into history books.

But 12 years later, we seem to have forgotten everything we once believed in. Do we no longer care? Has it lost its relevance? I’d like to think not, but I am starting to fear otherwise.

This time of the year was previously known as a dark and solemn one. That should never change. The events that took place here 12 years ago should never be forgotten, should never be downscaled and should absolutely never be overshadowed, which unfortunately seems to be what is happening.

Not only is it being overshadowed, but it is being overshadowed with the possibility of more death, more war. This is not an appropriate time for such thoughts. A week from now? Fine, debate it. Argue it. Do whatever you want.

But now? Now should be spent remembering, commemorating and respecting the horrid events that took place and the lives that were lost. We should be respecting the fallen, not disrespecting them.

By Ashley Fries