By Andrew WestDOVER — You may know the starfish story.
An old man walking a beach one day was watching a little boy tossing starfish one at a time into the ocean. With the tide going out, the starfish would not survive if left in the sand.
The old man noted there were thousands of them and said to the boy, “I’m afraid you won’t really be able to make much of a difference.”
The boy threw another and replied, “It made a difference to that one!”
***
In 20 days, the United States will observe the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
And it will be 20 years this fall since the “War on Terror” began with the U.S. response to depose the Taliban in Afghanistan, where al-Qaida terrorists had a base of operations.
Afghanistan, of course, is back in the headlines these days, and the Taliban have returned to power as Americans are withdrawing from the country.
“Right now, with what we’re watching, it’s so sad and so heavy and so disheartening,” said Teresa Connor of Magnolia.
Some of our readers may recall her story, as told in this column in 2016.
The now-retired U.S. Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonel was working in the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, when the hijacked plane hit the building. She later served as a public affairs officer for the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Office in Dover, as well as in the final year of service with a “train, advise and assist” team of the NATO-led Resolute Support Mission in Afghanistan.
She has been discussing the news from Afghanistan with friends and former colleagues in recent days. One conversation was with a Vietnam War veteran, relating to how young veterans should reflect on their service.
Ms. Connor said the political decisions over many years could be debated, but the people who served did not make those calls.
“We’ve all reached out to one another,” said Ms. Connor.
She said she told one former colleague, “You have to dwell on that you did make a difference.”
It reminded Ms. Connor of her time at the Air Force mortuary.
One of her habits was to take young staff members down to Kitts Hummock.
“We were dealing with some pretty heavy stuff there, too,” she said. “I took them out to see one of my favorite things — the horseshoe crabs. We would look down the beach, and I’d say, ‘You can’t save all of them, but you can save one.’”
***
Ms. Connor said she has been scrolling through photos on her phone, reflecting on her time in Kabul.
Among her favorite memories is the friendship she developed with an artist, who created a mural on a concrete blast wall outside the embassy.
The mural showed a woman in traditional garb with a child, alongside a woman in a police uniform. Words next to it read, “Afghan female police a force for good.”
The artist said it was a good way to start discussions about social issues.
As Afghanistan returns to Taliban control, Ms. Connor worries about what the influences will be on young people and how humanitarian efforts will be disrupted.
***
Scenes of the chaotic withdrawal from Kabul gave us another reminder of the Dover Air Force Base’s role in the world a few days ago.
The community showed its pride in the base and local airmen by following a viral photo of the cargo hold of a C-17 packed with 640 people desperately leaving Afghanistan. Reports have said the plane belonged to Dover Air Force Base.
The pilots and crew made a bold decision to take off quickly.
“An awesome feat of airmanship right here,” wrote Chuck Mankin on the base’s Facebook page. “If the entire crew does not get an Air Medal for this then the system is broken.”
***
In closing, we wish to hear from readers about memories of 9/11 and what Delawareans and Americans have experienced since.
Where were you and what do you remember about the day?
Has it faded from contemporary concerns to historical perspective?
Were you compelled to help, inspired to volunteer at a local fire company or pressed into military service?
Did the day and aftermath affect you personally? Is there someone you would like to remember or commend for their service and heroism?
Did it change your life in any way? Did it mean a loss of freedoms for you?
Send me an email at awest@iniusa.org or leave a comment under this column at BaytoBayNews.com.
Andrew West is executive editor of the Delaware State News.
