It’s hard to be reminded of the tragedy that shook this nation eighteen years ago. Everyone remembers where they were on that fateful day. I was studying at Arizona State University at the time and covered it for our student newspaper. It was a tough day for everyone across the nation. I got through it with the help of the people around me. I’m sure the same can be said for many of you.

The Gazette didn’t have a national or global section in our newspaper, so the tragedy was covered from the perspective of how it affected the people of Emerson Valley. My predecessor spoke to a lot of residents around town that day. After I joined the Gazette, I went back and read the special report in Wednesday morning’s paper. It was an incredibly moving piece that’s always stuck with me.

There was a local man who had worked in Tower 7 of the World Trade Center. It wasn’t one of the two towers hit during the attach, but it was demolished like all the others to make way for the new World Trade Center. He spoke wistfully at the time of his former job, and expressed a disbelief that it could be gone. I never understood how he felt until the loss of our newspaper. It’s hard to believe this is all online and only online. No more physical evidence of our existence.

The Emerson Valley Gazette will be holding a candlelight vigil for the victims of the attack outside our former building on the corner of Main Street and Cherry Blossom Lane. The vigil will take place at 9:30 PM. You’ll need to bring your own candles, but matches will be provided.

-Sarah Donovan, Editor & Local News, Emerson Valley Gazette