Preventing War

     On 9/11, 2001, four hijackers aboard United Airlines Flight 93 successfully invaded the plane's cockpit and took control. Knowing their fate, the 40 courageous passengers and crew bravely decided to work together to disrupt the terrorist members' plans. On this day, we remember 9/11 and learn from it. During this tragedy, strangers aboard the same plane spent their final moments standing together to fight back against Al Queda. Their attempts succeeded when Flight 93 crashed in rural Pennsylvania, away from the group's original target and preventing many others' deaths.

     Presently, our world faces the constant threats of war. Only recently, the US's longest war, a result of 9/11, finally ended. From wars started in the past decade alone, more than 1.5 million people have died, and the toll is even higher from battles started before then that are currently being fought. The effects of war are tragic, including socioeconomic and economic crises, psychological impact and trauma, and negative environmental effects.

     We can learn from the passengers and crew aboard Flight 93 to confront this problem today. Though they may not have believed that their decision to stand together was important, we remember that moment over two decades later and continue to take inspiration from it. Even though threats of war in today's world are high and hard to prevent, small steps can make a huge difference. Having empathy for others and being open to learning can go a long way, from issues between family and friends to national and even worldwide issues like war.

     Unfortunately, despite how we decide to confront this issue, nobody chooses to go to war "just because." Although our attempts can reduce the tragedies of war, having a world without it is almost impossible. Wars begin for many reasons, and there isn't one easily confrontable factor that can prevent it. However, working together and having empathy for others can make a great difference.