Remembering 9/11

Remember When…
• Life was free and fearless.
• Loved ones could kiss you goodbye or greet you at an airport gate.
• Baby formula and jars of food, water bottles, cosmetics, manicure kits, and shampoo were just innocent carry-ons for any flight.
• Your only fear of flying was of flying itself.
• The New York city skyline stood tall, proud, and complete as a symbol for America’s past, present, and future.
• A drive into any major city was filled only with thoughts of business, entertainment, or leisure, instead of wondering whether or not you’d make it out alive that day.
• Crazy ideologies terrorized nameless, faceless people half a world away.
• Capitalism and democracy were just a way of life, not a reason for war.
• We expected the government, CIA, and FBI to keep us safe on US soil at all times, at all costs.
• Freedom of speech and freedom of religion were assumed.

Never Forget…
• Before the dust settled on 9/11, every American—Democrats, Republicans, Independents—stood side-by-side as brothers and sisters united by this day’s tragedies. Regardless of our own political alliances and religious beliefs, we are still one nation fighting to keep the freedoms our forefathers secured for our country.
• The men, women, and children’s lives that were lost the day our eyes opened to evil, maniacal presences lurking just outside Lady Liberty’s open arms.
• The firemen/women, police officers, soldiers and all those who serve today and those who have died in the line of duty to protect us and the freedoms we take for granted every day.

Most importantly…We are proud and lucky to be Americans.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. To secure these rights governments are instituted among men, deriving their just power from the consent of the governed…” (Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, 1776)