September has always been one of my favorite months of the year. Back to school, followed by a back-to-work attitude, seems to encourage most people into heightened productivity both at home and at the office. Just the audible mention of “September” now triggers another thought, however, as the life-changing events of 9-11 are remembered. I remember clearly sitting in my office, listening to a radio interview promoting 40 Leaders Under Forty that morning, when breaking news interrupted the conversation.

Last month, I was e-mailing a congratulatory note to a friend who currently lives in London about receiving the bid for the 2012 Olympics, when she forwarded to me the “UK News Flash” that terrorists had bombed the Underground and a double-decker bus.

My emotions yo-yoed both times. Happiness, hope, and pride quickly turned to sadness, fear, and shame for the human race. I remembered enjoying dinner at Windows on the World at the World Trade Center in New York City. I remembered enjoying a tour of London from the top of a double-decker bus, as well as riding the Underground with my daughter, just a year ago. The realization that the tragedies could’ve happened when I was present in New York City and in London caused me to shudder.

I wonder how history books 20 years from now will be written to describe these events. Less than a decade ago, I’d walked around the U.S. Embassy in London, feeling very safe and proud. But in 2004, my daughter and I were startled to turn the corner at Grosvenor Square and see armed guards walking around huge concrete blocks that served as barricades to the U.S. Embassy entrance. In every city, including our own, federal buildings are now “protected” with barriers and metal detectors.

Will it become natural to our grandchildren that they go through a screening process prior to entering public buildings? Will they shake their heads in disbelief that in grandma’s day, one could actually tour the White House, visit our Congressman’s office, not have to remove shoes when going to an airport gate—and could actually wait at the gate of an arriving airplane to welcome grandpa home? Will the next generation take for granted that they might be searched by authorities who think them suspicious, that their writings on the Internet will be screened, and that when applying for a job, they’ll undergo a lengthy background check? Some freedoms previously taken for granted are now being controlled and taken away for our protection.

History is being re-written, and changes in leadership and what’s expected of leaders today are different from a decade ago. Leaders envision a new world, and they must motivate and direct us to understand that new world.

We’re applauding 40 Leaders Under Forty for the 12th year this September. The nomination form is included in this issue. So much has changed in our world, yet leaders still rise to the occasion. There are many young leaders in our community making a difference and proud to call central Illinois their home.

Thank those who are shaping the history in our area by submitting a nomination. We’re proud of the people in our community who are actively making our world a better place for future generations. TPW