Remember.....

Today, I'm sure we are all remembering where we were 8 years ago on this day... What a horrible day it was! We all just stopped, everything just stopped. What just happened? It couldn't have just happened! A planed crashed into one of the Twin Towers? Oh my God, what happened to the people in the plane? Did the pilot have a heart attack? What do you mean the towers are on fire? There's another one headed for the other tower? What the hell is going on?

Shock, fear, all of the TVs in America, heck, around the world, are looking at New York, then the rumors began... But then even more awful, unbelievable things started to occur. A plane crashed into the Pentagon. Another plane crashed in Pennsylvania. People are jumping out of the Towers because it is burning and it is too hot to wait for rescue. We are all stunned into shock and silence. We stand around watching the television - in horror. The Towers have collapsed!! Firemen, Policemen in New York who were trying to save the wounded have now also been killed, doing the work they have been trained to do, they love to do. They will never get to see their families again, raise their children - they were the finest and the bravest! Never to be forgotten, we will make sure of this.

Planes have now been grounded. We are learning more and more... it has been a terrorist attack! What??? Oh, my God! We learn that the plane in Pennsylvania has been brought down by brave men and women who know they are going to die, but chose to take the plane down in a field rather than let hijackers on the plane crash it in a populated area and kill thousands or maybe millions. Several of these people have said tearful goodbyes to their families. They will never be forgotten, we will make sure of this.

In the end, around 3,000 people have been killed by these despicable terrorists! We spend the next few weeks in a fog of fear, confusion, anger and unity. American flags begin showing up on houses, businesses, windows, cars, everywhere! People stand in line to donate blood, food to the fire and police departments. Celebrities and "regular" people donate time and money to the clean-up fund and to the Red Cross to try and find survivors and to those left behind. We all cling a little tighter to our own families, calling out of state relatives, smile at strangers we pass.

We are again the UNITED States of America.

So as you go about you day today, please take a moment to remember those who gave their lives on that fateful day when the cowards attacked our country and tried to tear us apart. Remember to fly your American Flag, say hello to a stranger, thank a fireman or a policeman. Hug your children, kiss your significant other, love your fellow man. Remember those terrorists failed - they did NOT tear us apart, instead they made us stronger, closer, and united.... and we will never forget!