The crisp, blue skies above Evergreen Rotary Park in Bremerton belied the somber, poignant ceremony taking place Sept. 11 at the picturesque park’s Kitsap 9/11 Memorial. Several hundred residents gathered there to honor those killed or injured 15 years ago in lower Manhattan, at the Pentagon and in rural Pennsylvania.

On that day in 2001, the skies above a bustling World Trade Center complex at 8:45 a.m. were also cloudless and blue. But one minute later, the sky began to turn black from smoke pouring out of burning skyscrapers. The weapons used by the terrorists: two hijacked airliners, crashed into America’s twin symbols of its economic might.

At the local observance, U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Bremerton, said something else happened that day: our nation came together. “First responders plunged into the wreckage to look for survivors. Folks called one another to see how they were doing. In the days after, we sought out ways to help those directly impacted. We donated blood. We gave to the Red Cross. Some even enlisted in our armed forces.”

Kilmer spoke emotionally about the sacrifices of those who worked heroically and selflessly to save lives and comfort others. For them and the victims of 9/11, ceremonies like the Kitsap 9/11 event paid tribute and offered gratitude.

Kilmer’s words were touching, but also thought-provoking. The commemoration reminds us that as a community — 3,000 miles away from the terrible events — we continue to remain connected to what happened, he said. We are reminded of the importance of remaining vigilant to keep America safe.

And we are reminded of something else, Kilmer said. “That we are strongest as a country when we are united as a country. Think back to the days that followed. Folks from all different backgrounds came together. Communities came together. Our country came together. Even Congress came together …”

Fifteen years later, Kilmer said that unified spirit has been cleaved by partisan rancor. Just turn on the cable news channels and hear “talking heads” driving that wedge even farther apart. “There is a rush to judge someone different or with different views,” he said.

In view of the 15th anniversary that was observed throughout the nation, Kilmer said it’s time to reunite. “The unity we felt following 9/11 is a reminder that we can do anything when we are the ‘UNITED’ States of America. There is a feeling that it’s time to come together once again so we can make progress — together.

“There is a feeling that we can harness that spirit and, as Lincoln said in his first inaugural, ‘embrace the better angels of our nature.’ That we show kindness to each other — regardless of race, religion, background or political affiliation — … and take a moment to tell our loved ones, ‘You made my life.’”