When they fell...

Do you remember where you were?
That's the question that always gets asked about September 11th. How could you forget? I think everyone remembers exactly where they were when the tragedy occurred. I remember I was at home and mom turned on the tv in our living room (which was unheard of, we didn't really ever watch tv growing up). I remember watching it and although probably not fully comprehending what the magnitude of the attack meant, I knew that a lot of people were losing their lives, a lot of people were losing their loved ones as I watched the tv screen. I remember feeling scared, wondering why someone would do that? How someone could justify their actions? But all too soon, we moved on and didn't think about it. Sure...every year we all stop and remember 9/11 on 9/11. But honestly, how often do we as American's think about it at any other time?

It was bad enough when one airplane crashed into one of the World Trade Centers, but then a second came. The reality that terrorists had slipped through our "secure world", or "free country" was unreal. How could we have missed this? How could we not catch 4 different people overtaking 4 different planes on the same day.

In a matter of minutes our security was ripped away from us, people turned to prayer and faith to get them through the trying days after the tragedy. But within weeks it was like most of the country returned to normal. Sure security at airports is heightened more now, especially around holidays. Some people are scared of flying or have fears of attacks. But for the most part we "forget" about it most of the year. We forget about the men and women of our armed forces who are fighting daily in another country to ensure that this doesn't happen again.

Lights were placed in remembrance of where the World Trade Towers once stood. Flags were raised by firefighters longing for a sense of hope in a place where so much devastation now existed.

I think that the most stunning image from this horrible tragedy is the cross made of steel at Ground Zero. A sense of hope is seen in the image of the cross amidst a sea of pain and suffering.

It's easy to get lost in our lives and forget what has happened to us in the past. But I hope that we all take the time to thank those protecting us from those who would strip away our security. There are men and women risking their lives daily so that we will not have to suffer here at home like we all did on 9/11.

Always Remember, Never Forget!