One of the more poignant remembrances of Queen Elizabeth coincides with her actions in light of the terrorist attacks on America, 21 years ago today. Instead of the British national anthem, then Hail to the Queen, her Majesty ordered the Star Spangled Banner to be played during the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace on September 13, 2001. It was no small gesture, as the Royal Guard had not altered its routine since 1660! Ordering the change was the Queen’s acknowledgment of the gravity of 9-11 and her attempt to comfort the thousands of Americans in London — a classy move.
September 11, 2001 was an extraordinary day and warranted such an unprecedented response as was given by the Queen. We need to honor those lost on 9-11 by rekindling the spirit of patriotism that was present across the land after that fateful morning — and remember that we are all joined together and thrive only as one.
The Queen is no longer with us to do the extraordinary; it is up to us to model our connection as world citizens in ordinary ways. Use today to retell the stories, relive the experience of watching the planes fly into the Towers, and reunite as Americans as we did following 9-11. Never forget.
