Sept. 11, 2026 Editor, The News-Gazette: Twenty-five years after 9/11 we remember not only the horror of the attacks on our nation but also the remarkable unity Americans displayed in its aftermath. For a time our differences seemed less important than what we shared as citizens.
Today, our nation confronts a different threat — one that comes not from foreign terrorists attacking our buildings, but from forces within our own country that undermine the cornerstones of democracy. Although the damage may be less visible, the consequences are profound. They affect everything from health care and voting rights to the judicial system and the environment. The pursuit of wealth and political power at the expense of the common good threatens both our democratic system of government and the quality of life of millions of Americans.
Yet we are not powerless. One of democracy’s greatest strengths is the ability of citizens to bring about change through the ballot box. This November’s election provides an opportunity to defend the institutions we value, begin repairing the damage done to them, and remember — on this solemn anniversary — that despite our differences, we remain one country with a shared responsibility for its future. FRANK SETTLE Lexington
