We Will Never Forget 9/11/01

It is the 10-year anniversary of possiblythe biggest tragedy to occur during my lifetime. My heart breaks as I watch various shows ontelevision recounting the events of that day. It still seems likesomething out of a movie, as the thought of this occurring is stillinconceivable. But, watching storiesabout how these events personally effected people of all walks of life bringstears to my eyes and makes it a horrifying reality.

Within 102 minutes the United States was changed forever. Somewere traveling on the hijacked planes that day, others were working in the towers thatwere hit, some were Fire Fighters, Police Men/Women, Medics and other First Responders, others were ordinary citizens turned heroes. Many lost loved ones that day, and some arebrave souls that have contributed and/or continue to contribute their time to the War on Terror. You cannot turn on the radio, look through a newspaper, or flip through television stations without being reminded of the earth shaking events that occurred 10 years ago.

I cannot imagine...

• sitting there as an air traffic controller and watching as the plane descended towards the Twin Towers or the Pentagon, but not being able to stop what was about to occur.
• receiving a call from your loved one who informs you that they are on a hijacked plane, then watching on television as their plane hits the second tower.
• working at the office as you suddenly hear a deafening noise...you don't know where the sound came from and suddenly the building is burning around you, and the floor is collapsing underneath you.
• attempting to make it away from the wreckage safely, but being overwhelmed by fear and blinded by the smoke and debris to the point that you cannot see the hand in front of your face.
• hearing the news of the events that occurred and pacing with anxiety, wondering whether or not your loved one would return from work that day.
• possessing the courage and heroism of those on Flight 93, who even after the realization that their flight was being hijacked and that 3 other planes had already hit major landmarks in the US, worked together to stop the terrorists from hitting what could have been The White House.
• being one of the many responders working day in, and day out trying to clean up the daily reminder of death and destruction.
• having the courage to leave your family to go to a foreign country for months, and risk your life to fight the War on Terror.
• receiving the news that your loved one won't be returning from their mission overseas.
• having to explain to your children that their Mommy or Daddy has gone to be with God and the Angels.

Sadly, I could continue on with this list. My heart hurts just thinking about all of the people who greatly suffered and still suffer from the pain that these events brought on. As ground zero is being rebuilt, a decade later, they are still trying to mend their hearts and rebuild their lives. While it is difficult to understand how this could happen, I believe that everything happens for a reason and that God has a plan for each and every person effected. I would like to take a moment to remember the estimated 2,800 people lost on that day. I am also keeping those effected in my prayers; some lost loved ones or dear friends, others are currently suffering from serious illnesses and diseases due to their work cleaning up the disaster.

I would also like to take a moment to honor and pray for our troops; as well as pray for the leaders of this country. Even in our close circle, I would like to specifically honor our dear friend Brent who is active in the military and who went to Afghanistan for a year from 2009 to 2010 to serve our country. He left his wife and the rest of his loved ones, left the comfort of his home, was not able to be present for the birth of his beautiful baby girl, missed out on moments in the first year of his little girl's life, gave up many of the things we do on a daily basis that we take for granted; and performed his duties selflessly. I am so thankful for people like Brent, who do not think twice about accepting a duty to fight for his country...to fight for all of us.

I encourage everyone to read a beautiful story that comes out of these horrible events: The Survivor Tree. It is one that represents hope, strength, renewal and life. The link above is a video from a Washington news station, but if you have the opportunity to watch the episode of Rising-Rebuilding Ground Zero on the Discovery Channel that features The Survivor Tree, be sure to watch it. Over the next few years I hope to travel to New York to visit the gorgeous memorial that they have built at ground zero, and pay my respects where many lost their lives and many became heroes. We will never forget September 11th, 2001. God Bless America.