Never Forget!

Today is the anniversary of a world-changing event. I was a freshman in high school when President John Kennedy was shot. It is day that is burned into my memory in brilliant detail. Ask anyone in my generation what they were doing that when they heard the news and they will be able to tell you. It's an emotional check-point. September 11, 2001 will be a check point for this generation. It didn't just change the skyline of New York; it changed our perception of the world.

The things I learned from this event are many. But the hardest hitting thing that remains is how so many of those who died that day spent their last moments. People who got up and went to work, just like every other day. People who had taken out something to defrost for dinner. People who might have had sharp words with a loved one, thinking they would have time to make up later. People who still had things on their "To Do" list. Those who had the chance, called those they loved to say good-bye. In their last moments, their family was the greatest priority. There were thousands of people who didn't come home.

The loss was palatable for all of us. We hugged our kids. We called our parents. We clung to all those we loved. We mourned in way I've never seen before - ever. Flags were flown EVERYwhere. God was remembered AND celebrated openly.

How far we have slipped. Look at all the attacks on religion since then. Look at the attacks on family. We are in the process of electing a new president. My prayer is that we will chose someone who remembers, respects and will continue to protect us the way we have been protected since that day. And that is as political as I will get.

Click on this last picture. Enlarge it. It is a fence in New York City where they have placed tiles representing each life lost that day. Say a prayer for their families.

There was the world before 9-11 and there is what we have after.