On the third anniversary of 9-11, it’s important that we pause and remember the fallen.

While the anniversary of thousands of American deaths is tragic, there is something good that comes out of it.

Once a year, for a certain period of time, everyone is simply an American.

During 9-11, we all stop for a moment, whether formally at a memorial service, or just informally at home watching the news.

During that period of time, we are all the same.

There exists no differences between Americans. We all just stop and think about the losses this country faced in 2001. And we remember.

While in the midst of a war, while in the midst of a divisive election, while in the middle of whatever polarizing event that is always ongoing in a healthy democracy, we all stop and we all become American and we all remember.

It’s sometimes necessary to remind ourselves of what we have in common.

And 9-11 reminds us that we are one nation. Despite the somewhat unfocused chaos that seems to drive the country sometimes, its nice to know that we, as Americans, share a commonality, even if it is national sorrow and mourning.

So, just remember, while thousands of Americans died three years ago in a crime against all of humanity, that they were all Americans.