11 years ago today, our nation was attacked. 11 years ago today, thousands of people lost their lives for absolutely no reason at all. 11 years ago today, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews, gave the ultimate sacrifice just to save the lives of others.
Do you remember where you were at 8:46 AM on September 11, 2001? I was sitting in my sixth grade classroom, just transitioning to middle school, when my teacher said “Oh my God” and turned on the television. It’s still a surreal moment for me today. It didn’t seem real. It looked straight from a Hollywood movie set. My mother was in the World Trade Center for work just the week before, and all I knew that day was that she was traveling to “New Somewhere.” She ended up working in New Jersey that day, but the feeling of uncertainty has stuck with me forever. I will never forget those lost, and those children who lost family members from these heinous acts. The feeling I felt that day was/is indescribable. I can’t even imagine the feeling of those who knew for sure that their loved ones were working in the WTC that September morning.
Never forget the passengers, pilots, and flight attendants who lost their lives that morning. Never forget the members of the NYPD and FDNY, who ran into a building with one intention, saving lives. Never forget the soldiers who lost their lives since that day, just to defend our freedoms, and let us live in the America we grew up with.
Take a moment today and think about how lucky you are to be alive, because it could all change at any moment.