September 11th

First thing this morning, I put out the American Flag outside of our house. Today is called Patriots Day. September 11, 2001 is one of those defining moments of life. You never forget where you were when you heard, and I will never forget the awful feeling in the pit of my stomach as events unfolded and I realized the extent of the tragedy.

Today I talked with my students about the day and showed a video of the events of the day. They were barely 6 years old when it happened and really don't remember a lot about the day. I think it is important to remember. Remember what happened, and how our lives were changed forever. Remember the sacrifice of all people who have died in order to insure our liberty. And remember that freedom often comes at a high price, particularly to those who were directly affected.

In the weeks after 9/11, Americans came together. Flags were flown, songs were sung, memorials were presented, money was collected, and we vowed that terrorism would not prevent us from living our lives with a sense of security and peace. Since those first few months, we have splintered again, and some people even believe that our own government was responsible for those planes going into those buildings. People who think that was dishonor those who died that day, particularly the policemen and firefighters who died doing their duty, and those on flight 93 who realized that unless they took control of that plane, hundreds more people would die.

I hold this day with particular reverence. I personally knew two of the people who were on board flight 77, the plane that went into the Pentagon. This day is a tribute to them and to all who had to sacrifice their lives through the cowardly acts of muslim extremists. This day particularly, I pray for our country. I pray that God will bless our country and countinue to allow us the freedoms and liberties we have heretofore enjoyed.

Land of the free, home of the brave.