I Was Here- 9/11

Good Afternoon, everyone. "On the 11th anniversary of a tragedy, many Americans arose not remembering. It was another day of making coffee, packing sandwiches for kids' lunches, dropping off the dry cleaning before work.... Memorial ceremonies, too, were fewer and simpler than in the past.... It is natural for time to heal. Natural, too, for people to want to move on. But there was one place where the tragedy was hard to miss -- on social media." –CNN

 

Can I admit that I was this person? This morning as I was making coffee I opened my Twitter app to read what had been posted throughout the night. I typically like to check the weather, news, and traffic updates along my Birmingham route. As I sat there reading tweets and drinking my coffee I realized that today was September 11. The things listed in my planner were not as important as what this day truly represents because of an event 11 years. I was shocked to think that it has already been 11 years.

 

I remember where I was, but I do not remember all of the details. I was a 5th grader in Mrs. Suzan McKenzie's science class. In the middle of our lesson Coach Johnson opened the front door and told Mrs. McKenzie to turn on the news. He said "The towers in New York have been hit." Once the news was turned on, our daily lesson ended. I do not think we even changed classes for the rest of the day. I remember she immediately called her husband and daughters, and after that things become fuzzy. I did not know where the Twin Towers were located or who terrorists were. I only understood that it was an event that would go down in history books and that America would possibly go to war. Ultimately, I knew that the impact of 9/11 affected Americans everywhere regardless of age, race, political stance, or religion.

 

                             

 

"We remember that eleven years ago today nearly three thousand of our fellow Americans were killed by evil men. Every year on the anniversary of 9-11, we read out the names of those who died and comfort their families, and at military recruiting centers throughout the country, young men and women choose this day to enlist to serve their fellow Americans and ensure that something like this never happens again. While some try to move on with their lives and let the tragedy of that day recede in their memories, our men and women in uniform remain ever vigilant for us. Today, let’s take time to remember the victims of September 11. Let’s say a prayer for their families. Let’s comfort their children left behind. And let’s also remember our men and women in uniform who enlist to protect us from tragedies like this. Let’s remember that American troops are still fighting in Afghanistan now, and they’re dying this year at an average of one a day. Let’s never forget the heavy price they pay to keep us free." - Sarah Palin

I am extremely proud to be an American and live in the land of the free. I am thankful for the service men and women who lay their lives on the line for me each and every day. Even though we have moved on and 11 years have passed I will remember the sacrifice that so many have contributed and continue to contribute to the life I live today. Praying for every rescuer who died in honor, every family that lives in grief,  the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals... God Bless America!

                                 

I am blessed with a another opportunity to live life to the fullest each morning I wake up while so many others do not. My goal each and every day is to do MY BEST. The thought to ponder- Are you doing your best?  Until next time, happy blogging.