NATCHEZ — Everyone remembers the unity that swept across America on the days after Sept. 11.

For much of America, that feeling of unity quickly became stronger, bolder and braver than the fear and sadness the terrorists initially created.

On the week of the 10th anniversary of the attacks, faces of those talking about that unity proved that local residents remember.

“People came together,” local first responder Rosa Newman said. “People that (normally) didn’t, reached out toward each other.

“It might sound silly, but it reminds me — it’s like Jesus and the Samaritan woman sitting at the well.”

Newman, a paramedic for American Medical Response, went on to explain that those who avoided interaction with society seemed to be accepted and become part of the community after 9/11.

Monica King, a counselor at McLaurin Elementary School, said she noticed a renewed respect for first responders like Newman after 9/11.

She said first responders risk their lives every day for little monetary compensation, and 9/11 demonstrated those risks.

“It was a costly reminder,” King said.

Carole Cotten, the wife of a former sheriff’s deputy and also a counselor at McLaurin, said she knew her husband was potentially risking his life on the job every day, but it took 9/11 for others to realize that.

America did realize, Cotten said. But she’s not so sure that respect lingers 10 years later.

“They have forgotten. They have forgotten,” Cotton said. “I don’t think we should ever forget.”

Her worries were echoed around the Miss-Lou last week as residents remembered the unity but questioned its place in today’s world.

“I give (the anniversary unity) a couple weeks,” said Cedric Taylor, an Adams County maintenance department employee.

Newman agreed, pointing to divisions among leaders in Washington, D.C.

“Anytime you have an election, (division) is mostly politically based,” Newman said.

Joenathan Smalley, who works for CableOne, said the tragedy brought people together, but the country doesn’t have that unity today.

“We need to be together to make anything work,” Smalley said.

Taylor said after the shock of the tragedy wore off, people retreated to their old ways.

“People got set back into their separate corners,” Taylor said.

“The last time I checked, they called it the UNITED States,” he said.

Smalley said marking the anniversary of 9/11 is the only way most people would remember the initial shock they felt after the tragedy.

Despite doubt the country will remain united as 9/11 anniversary reminders fade out, Taylor said at least he and some others realize Americans have more in common with each other than the differences that divide them.

“We all get up and we work and take care of our families,” Taylor said. “We’re all the same.”

“It’s a shame that it takes a tragedy to bring people together,” Taylor said.