25 years ago, on September 11, 2001, a lot of people lost their lives to a war they didn’t know existed, attacked by individuals with an ideology that made them willing to die to destroy what they saw as an abhorrent society and ideals. My uncle was in the towers that fell, one of the many who didn’t come home.

That event galvanized a nation. Probably not in the way that the perpetrators expected. Yes there was a military response, ultimately resulting in Bin Laden’s death. But there was also a humanitarian response.

I travelled to Afghanistan in 2004 as an intern for Samaritan’s Purse, and then again in 2006 to work with another NGO to do language survey for educational initiatives. Many foreigners were there with long term perspectives, committed to assisting local people and building capacity. And most locals I met were solid people who just wanted security, freedom to live peacefully, and opportunity for their children. Some I still count as good friends.

There are people who say that we brought the attack on ourselves, that the US-funded programs intended to combat Soviet influence and conquest came back to bite us. Some would say that the ideology that supported the attacks is rooted in an ancient grudge and a fundamental cultural divide. But we didn’t pull the trigger. We can’t predict the future. And we can’t change the past. What we can do is learn and move forward.

I do believe in the ideals of our founders. All people are created equal, with fundamental rights that should be respected. Part of that respect involves allowing them to make their own decisions, even when I think they’re bad. Another part is helping those who need it - a daily responsibility that everyone has toward the individuals around them and should not give away solely to the government. While I value the collective, I still see it as fundamentally composed of individuals. This tension - between the individual and society - is probably one I will struggle with my whole life.

So this year, on the 25th anniversary of a terrible tragedy, I remember those who lost their lives, simply for being part of a society that holds these ideals. And I recommit myself to those ideals of equality, freedom, and responsibility, because I believe they are right and true and beneficial to the world and humanity as a whole.