Personally, I do not like the fact that this song has been associated with 9/11. Im sure it was used at many funerals before the tragedy, and on may different occasions, but the first "public tragedy" is was assocaited with was Dale Earnhardt's death. Many people think of him every time they hear the song.
In good taste, when a song has been associated with one tragedy, it shouldn't be used again for another. Thats just MHO, though.