Today marks the quarter-century anniversary of the darkest day in America’s 250-year history.
For the last week, I’ve been reading and rereading profiles of the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, many of them shared by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and the @911remembrance Instagram accounts.
Their stories are reminders of the extraordinary courage, compassion and strength ordinary Americans summoned amid unfolding, unfathomable circumstances.
As much as anything, I think their selflessness helped unite the country after the 9/11 atrocities.
However, this particular trip down memory lane also has reawakened the rage I felt — like most Americans — after nearly 3,000 people were slaughtered at the hands of airplane hijackers in New York City and Washington, D.C., and in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
For 25 years, we have been exhorted to “never forget.”
And I won’t. Not ever.
But this anniversary has also made me think more deeply about what those words require of us.
Certainly, they mean remembering those who died — their names, their stories, their families and the futures stolen from them.
They also mean remembering what and who killed them.
The 19 hijackers were driven by a murderous Islamist ideology that regards innocent people as legitimate targets and our freedoms as weaknesses to exploit.
America responded forcefully.
Osama bin Laden was hunted down and killed in his squalid hovel.
Our defenses were strengthened and, thankfully, there has been no subsequent attack on U.S. soil approaching the scale of 9/11.
But the psychopathic ideology behind the attacks did not disappear. The Islamic extremists and their enablers adapted.
They pivoted to our culture, the soft underbelly of a nation founded on the ideals of “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
A growing number of incurious Americans — particularly those of a new generation too young to have experienced 9/11 for themselves — now seem to take insane claims of moral equivalency at face value.
Alarmingly and ghoulishly, some among us proudly cheer political violence against those they disagree with.
Logistically, terrorist recruiting that once required personal contact can now happen online, where propaganda, encrypted communications and radicalization can cross borders instantaneously.
That makes remembering accurately more important, not less.
We can recognize complexity without manufacturing “whataboutism” between America and its enemies.
We can debate U.S. policies and mistakes without losing the ability to distinguish between legitimate disagreement and the deliberate murder of civilians.
And we can confront extremism without abandoning the freedom, tolerance and rule of law that distinguish us from it.
Twenty-five years later, maybe that is the more constructive meaning of “never forget.”
Remember the nearly 3,000 souls taken from us. Remember the bravery of those who ran toward danger — up the stairs or down a narrow airplane aisle. Remember the humanity of those who helped strangers.
Remember clearly what caused that terrible day.
And then remember the country we became in its immediate aftermath — wounded and furious, yes, but also remarkably united, generous and determined.
Twenty-five years later, perhaps our best tribute to those we lost is not simply to remember how they died.
It is to remember what America stood for when tested — and resolve to be worthy of it again.
Noozhawk had an audience of 116,563 readers this past week, as compiled by our WordPress analytics.
What follows is my own take on the Top 5 stories you were reading during that period, according to our Google Analytics.
And by “my own take,” I mean this is my weekly opinion column. Thank you for reading.
1. Power Shutoffs Possible as Temperatures Hit 100 Across Santa Barbara County
Record-breaking heat continued across Santa Barbara County this past week, with thousands of South Coast residents facing possible wildfire-related power shutoffs before a cooling trend brings relief beginning on Sept. 11.
As our Tom Bolton reported, Santa Barbara reached 96 degrees on Sept. 9, breaking the previous daily record of 95 set in 1984, while Santa Maria hit 103, surpassing its 1984 record of 99.
Other readings included 110 in Solvang, 106 at the Santa Ynez Airport, 105 at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden and 104 in the Carpinteria foothills.
An extreme heat warning was in effect through 8 p.m. Sept. 10. National Weather Service forecasters said unusually high humidity was increasing the risk of heat-related illness.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, Southern California Edison said public safety power shutoffs were possible for 2,832 customers in areas stretching from Santa Barbara and the Goleta Valley to San Marcos Pass and the Gaviota coast because of elevated wildfire danger.
Most potential shutoffs were to end by 3 a.m. Sept. 11, although some in central Goleta could continue until midnight Sept. 12.
Our Jack Dindia reported that forecasters expect a noticeable break in the heat spell on Sept. 11 as tropical moisture moves out of the region.
Temperatures and humidity should continue falling through the weekend, with Santa Barbara dropping into the low 80s on Sept. 12 and around 80 on Sept. 13.
Santa Maria and Lompoc should reach the mid-70s over the weekend.
2. 1 Airlifted from Gaviota State Beach Area with Moderate Injuries
A medical emergency at Gaviota State Beach prompted a dramatic helicopter rescue on Sept. 5, temporarily shutting down the nearby Union Pacific railroad tracks.
Details were scant, but our Evelyn Spence reported that Santa Barbara County firefighters were dispatched to the beach just after 2 p.m. on a report of an individual needing medical assistance.
Fire Department spokeswoman Karen Cruz-Orduña said the individual suffered moderate injuries, but she did not disclose the circumstances.
According to emergency radio traffic, a county sheriff’s Air Support Unit helicopter airlifted the patient from the beach and was heading to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital by 3:15 p.m.
Cruz-Orduña said the railroad tracks were closed briefly while the rescue operation was underway.
An identity, the medical condition and information about the medical emergency were not released.
3. Santa Barbara County Named in Amber Alert for Girl, Father Linked to Baby’s Death
Before we get to the Amber Alert, I must warn you that the details of this recap are repulsive.
The aforementioned Amber Alert was issued for a 14-year-old Monterey County girl authorities say is an incest victim traveling with her father, who allegedly impregnated her.
The 11 county-alert, which extends through Santa Barbara County, includes most counties between Monterey County and the Mexico border.
As our Janene Scully reported, Diana Galvez Ortega was last seen Aug. 4 in Salinas and is believed to be with 38-year-old Sergio Galvez Perez, possibly in a white Nissan Altima without license plates.
Authorities allege Galvez Perez is the teenager’s biological father and also fathered the newborn girl she allegedly gave birth to before the infant was found dead Aug. 1 on the side of a road near Moss Landing.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Department obtained judge-approved Ramey warrants for Galvez Perez and Galvez Ortega, alleging the teenager gave birth and abandoned the infant. Her warrant included a murder allegation.
San Luis Obispo Tribune staff writer Sadie Dittenber later reported that the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office, which did not review the Ramey warrant beforehand, said it has received no request to charge Galvez Ortega and considers her a victim of her father’s alleged sexual abuse.
Prosecutors have charged Galvez Perez with child molestation, however. And it sounds like that’s not nearly enough.
Galvez Perez is described as a mere 5 feet 5 inches tall and 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Galvez Ortega is 4 feet 10 inches tall and weighs 100 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes.
Authorities urge anyone spotting the pair to call 9-1-1.
4. BizHawk: Animal Hospital in Santa Barbara Opens with Pets’ Comfort in Mind
A new independently owned Goleta Valley animal hospital is putting pets’ comfort at the center of its approach to veterinary care.
As our Daniel Green reported, Bonnie Mara Animal Hospital opened last week at 4860 Calle Real, conveniently located right across the street from In-N-Out Burger, just west of North Turnpike Road.
Owned by Dr. Laura Putnam DVM, the practice offers general checkups, dental care, surgeries, X-rays and other services.
Putnam, formerly with VCA Carpinteria Veterinary Hospital, designed the 5,000-square-foot clinic to reduce the anxiety many animals experience during veterinary visits.
“I’m really building it so that we can take our time with our patients and we’re not rushing them through,” she said.
Dogs and cats have separate reception areas, while feline holding areas are designed to reduce noise and allow staff to adjust lighting.
A cat-only examination room includes places for patients to climb.
The practice is accepting new patients and is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.
5. Major Injuries Reported in Head-On Vehicle Collision in Vandenberg Village
A Sept. 5 head-on collision in Vandenberg Village left one person critically injured and another with minor injuries.
As our Evelyn Spence reported, Lompoc and Santa Barbara County firefighters responded shortly before 9 a.m. to Burton Mesa Boulevard and Constellation Road.
Lompoc fire Battalion Chief Christopher Martinez said one individual had to be extricated from the wreckage.
American Medical Response ambulances took one of the injured to Lompoc Valley Medical Center and the other to Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria.
No identities or medical conditions were available.
The California Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances of the collision.
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Good Reads
Don’t skip these six stories:
» Young Visitors Witness Surprise Gibbon Birth at Santa Barbara Zoo — In an exclusive interview, staff writer Pricila Flores catches up with some kids who got a real-life nature lesson at the Santa Barbara Zoo.
» Goleta Man Charged with Felony Arson in Connection with Farren Road Fire — South County editor Evelyn Spence follows up on the May 19 brush fire allegedly started by an idiot shooting off fireworks along Farren Road in western Goleta.
» Ashlee Buzzard Court Proceedings Suspended After Defense Declares Mental Competency Doubt — Great. The Massachusetts madness is metastasizing. North County editor Janene Scully reports on a significant detour on the road to justice for murdered 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, allegedly at the hands of her mother.
» Man Agrees to Plea Deal in Santa Maria Court Complex Bombing Case — Janene is still on the case of the guy charged in the 2024 bombing of the Santa Maria Court Complex.
» Kelly Hubbard Suddenly Resigns as County Director of Emergency Management — Staff writer Daniel Green has a surprise announcement about the Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management.
» Mark Patton: Remembering the Day UCSB Lost a Devoted Coach to the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks — The 9/11 terrorism hit especially hard for the then-UC Santa Barbara women’s gymnastics team. Sports columnist Mark Patton relates the tragic tale of Mari-Rae Sopper and its impacts on the young women she was to have coached.
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Last Year on Noozhawk
What was our most-read story this time last year? Sansum Clinic Fires Employees Involved in ‘Unacceptable’ Viral Video.
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What I’m Up To
Although I’m not looking for a free meal, I occasionally do have free time if you’re looking for a speaker for your club, group or organization and want to hear more about Noozhawk. Email me at wmacfadyen@noozhawk.com.
Sept. 29 — Noozhawk and CalMatters are partnering again on a VotingMatters forum, this one focused on the race for state insurance commissioner and the ballot measures on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Oct. 29 — I don’t recognize who Scouting America — Los Padres Council is describing, but I’m being honored with the National Outstanding Eagle Scout Award at the annual Salute to Scouting celebration at the Santa Barbara Club, #myhomeawayfromhome.
Dec. 10 — Having not learned their lesson from last year, the Channel City Club has invited me back to emcee its Christmas brunch at the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort. I’m privileged to do this in honor of my close friend, the late Erin Graffy, the club’s longtime host.
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Bill Macfadyen’s Story of the Week
Light on: 2,977 Drones Rebuild New York’s Twin Towers for 9/11.
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Best of Bill’s Instagram
@sadietheaslaskanmalamute is 7, and she’s the star in my Instagram feed this past week.
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Watch It
HT to the heroes we can no longer thank.
