"9/11: A Historical Marker for the Next Generation of Marines"

As the 22nd anniversary of the September 11th attacks approaches, a new generation of Marine recruits, who were born several years after the attacks, are joining the military. The fading memory of 9/11 is evident as even their instructors have vague recollections of that day. The focus has shifted towards future threats, such as China and Russia, and the recruits are motivated by personal improvement, benefits, and service to the nation rather than a desire to fight terrorists. The historical significance of 9/11 is becoming more distant for these recruits, who see it as a date to mark rather than a lived experience.