Thumbs up to the people who honor the memory of Sept. 11, 2001.

Yes, it was 13 years ago today that one of the darkest chapters in American history was written by a small band of  fanatical terrorists and the evil men who guided them. They hijacked airplanes and struck New York City and Washington, D.C., killing 2,977 innocent people.

While we do expect or want large national memorials every year, we do appreciate those who offer small, poignant reminders of that sad day. Whether it’s hanging an American flag, attending a ceremony in their hometown — the Powell Volunteer Fire Department will host one at 6 p.m. today — or just pausing to reflect on the losses and pain we felt that dark Tuesday, we salute those who served and those who remember.

Do your part today to pay tribute to those we lost.

Thumbs up to the late Gerald Ford.

The nation’s sole unelected president — every other chief executive was picked by voters as either president or vice president — rarely gets a lot of praise. But a bold and smart decision he made 40 years ago this month deserves notice.

On Sept. 8, 1974, a month after assuming the presidency, Ford pardoned his predecessor, Richard Nixon. Ford said in issuing the “full, free and absolute pardon,” he was thinking more of the nation than his longtime friend and political ally, who was facing potential criminal charges while his physical and mental health were both in sharp decline.

“It is believed that a trial of Richard Nixon, if it became necessary, could not fairly begin until a year or more has elapsed. In the meantime, the tranquility to which this nation has been restored by the events of recent weeks could be irreparably lost by the prospects of bringing to trial a former president of the United States,” Ford said.

“The prospects of such trial will cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States.”

The reaction was immediate and strong. While Ford, with his humble, regular-guy persona, had been a breath of fresh air, once the pardon was announced, his poll numbers plummeted. People wanted blood after nearly two years of Watergate and scandal.

But Ford knew what was best for the country. He realized the wounds had to be healed, and pardoning Nixon was not just needed; it was mandatory for the country to move on.

In 1976, Ford was defeated by Jimmy Carter in a close election. Without the pardon and the resounding criticism he received for it, Jerry Ford may have won a term in the White House in his own right.

He paid a dear price for doing what he felt was right, but many of his critics eventually came around to agreeing with his decision, including the uber-liberal Sen. Ted Kennedy.

We’d like to see more politicians follow in Ford’s footsteps by putting the interests of the nation before their own political ambitions, but we realize leaders like him don’t come around that often.

Pardon us for regretting that.

Thumbs up to a spike in Yellowstone National Park visitation.

The park has greeted 2.7 million people through August, Yellowstone announced Monday. That’s a 6.38 percent jump from last year.

The nation’s first national park saw the greatest visitation in 2010, when 3,640,185 people made “recreational visits” to it, according to the park. That record won’t be topped this year, but this is a good sign.

The summer is a delightful time to see the park, but we prefer the fall, when the colors are magnificent, the crowds are smaller and the days and nights cooler.

While you may not be part of a record-setting year, we advise you to plan a trip to Yellowstone in the coming weeks.

Thumbs up to the harvest.

The small grain and alfalfa harvests are underway, or in some cases, completed. Meanwhile, the sugar beet harvest began last week and the Western Sugar factory in Lovell started its processing work on Monday.

The rhythm of the seasons is one of the subtle pleasures of life here. Seeing the harvest pick up steam reminds us of the arrival of fall, and the promise of a major economic boost to the region.

We’re glad to see it underway and hope for bumper crops, high prices and safe, smooth working conditions.