This week marked the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Whether it was in the newspaper, on the Facebook pages of your friends, or over the radio, nearly every media outlet available in this 21st century world offered coverage, insights and remembrances of that day.

For many Americans, this day has provided an opportunity to remember where we were when the news first reached our ears or eyes. And, in many communities around the country, to pay tribute to those who died that day and those that continue to fight to protect the United States.

With instant communications and a 24-hour news cycle, it became devastatingly easy for Americans to watch the horrific acts of that morning in 2001 and in turn recall where they were and what they were doing when it happened.

The real test of resolve, however, and conviction to honor those that died is to assess what we have done since that day. And while the “war on terror” might be an immediate response, I think it is time for a little more self-reflection.

Beyond the stirring memories of those planes crashing to the earth, have the lives of Americans changed significantly since that day? As in previous conflicts, and following times of national tragedy, expectations have existed that sacrifices be made.

While I am too young to have experienced it, hearing the stories and reading the history of previous wars it is clear the rationing of goods, including gasoline, and calls for national service were the norm.

From the perspective of rationing of goods, the connection between the United States’ dependence on foreign oil and the use of oil revenues by those countries to fund our enemies cannot be underestimated. Yet, even knowing that fact, how has policy changed in the last eight years regarding our use of fossil fuels and in what way have the habits of Americans been altered to impact this?

Beyond cries for investigations of large oil corporations when prices rose to $4 per-gallon last year, lifestyles of Americans to drive what we want, where and when we want, has seen little to no adjustment. Do we have the appetite for such a sacrifice?

Through the lens of service, this country continues to be blessed with brave men and women that volunteer for service in our military. They make sacrifices everyday in countries half a world away and their families have a daily reminder of the cost of maintaining our freedom.

The numbers of those individuals and families, however, is only a very small percentage of our total population and disproportionately shifts the burden of that sacrifice. Though not a call for all to take part in military service, there are many other means of service available.

The continued public roll out of the troop greeters documentary, “The Way We Get By,” is a perfect example of the service we can make in support of our country and the men and women defending it. This film tells the story of residents of greater Bangor that greet every plane carrying troops back into this country or on their way overseas.

No matter the hour or the weather, they stand prepared to thank those fighting for this country. Many of them are of modest means, and in challenging health, yet believe their role of public service calls them to be active.

A movement has begun to use 9/11 as a day to call for an increase in volunteerism nationally. And it is long overdue.

What is more overdue, though, is a national movement to call for greater sacrifice and service in our daily lives and not just on the anniversary of a tragedy.

Jonathan LaBonte, of New Auburn, is a columnist for the Sun Journal and an Androscoggin County Commissioner. E-mail: [email protected].