I still remember vividly the day those towers fell. I was only 12, but I remember that feeling of fear that filled my parent’s faces as they heard the news as the first plane hit. I heard them question each other wondering if it might have been an accident, until 17 minutes later the second tower was hit. We were on our way to school. Every television was on, as we watched the attack that day. As children we feared what this would mean for us. We could hardly comprehend what was happening. Now looking back 11 years later we see just how tragic this day was in our history. So many lost loved ones; so many lives changed that day. Many lost spouses and became single parents that day. Their lives forever changed. Not only were they struggling to deal with their loss, they were now unexpectedly trying to find a way to raise and support a family on their own.
Eleven years have come and gone. Most of our children have little or no recollection of that terrible day, some had not yet graced this earth. Now that they are here it is our responsibility to teach them about the day our country came together. Many of our children are unaware of the significance of September 11, 2001. It is our job to teach them. As you put out your flag to honor those that fell that day, remind them of what that flag means to our country. Remind them of how we came together and what we stand for as a country. Remind them of the men and women who continually put their lives on the line so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we experience today. May those affected by this terrible tragedy be in our thoughts and prayers today.