Remember Patriot Day ...
 

2008 marks the seventh anniversary of the worst terrorist attack inflicted on our nation. Patriot Day reflects the compassion of people who stepped forward to help those they've never met and the generosity of millions of Americans who enriched our country with acts of service and kindness on that 11th day of September in 2001. It is a true demonstration of why our country stands against those who force harm upon us.

http://re3.yt-thm-a01.yimg.com/image/25/m4/2970566438

I was starting a new job in Sept 2001.

I recall being sick to my stomach while watching the CNN internet stream.

I remember growing up my mother telling me that certain events you will always remember with increased accuracy. For her, it was the events surrounding late Nov 1963. For my adult life, it is 9-11.

My prayers for those that lost their lives.

On the Canadian side, I am proud to see the warmth and hospitality that so many communities, especially those in Atlantic Canada, showed our American friends who were stranded temporarily at places other than their destinations.

9-11 snuck up on me this year. In a way, I think
it's a good thing. I remember when we commemorated weekly, then monthly, and
now it's yearly. Before we know it, memorials will move to every 5 or 10
years.

The fact that we're moving on with our lives, and the date rolls up on us
without much fanfare, is a testament to the front lines of our homeland
security. Those men and women working in the three-letter agencies keeping
us safe; working around the clock to prevent a repeat attack.

While our ability to go from day to day without thinking about it is part of
their legacy; so is the fact that 9-11 still stands as one of only
two "infamous" days in American History. The fact that today is still
special speaks to their successes as well.

Listening and reading about the accounts of those who were lost, and those
who narrowly avoided personalizing the tragedy, one is struck by the fact
that the hole in the American Heart will never truly be healed. No grief
fully "heals," I think. We simply learn to navigate our lives around the
holes left in our lives by those we have lost way too soon.

Personal Observance
 

As someone who was in the Pentagon that horrible day and suffered much loss I can certainly give you a first hand opinion and observations on this topic. But I will be brief.

The Ceremony yesterday was very solemn and tastefully done. Nothing splashy. The new Pentagon Memorial is extremely well done and should be visited if you have the opportunity. An idea borne of the families and friends of those lost.....and built with private donations and no Federal moneys.

You should all be proud of and support your military and first responders. They do a terrific job daily and are only properly recognized and thanked during events such as these. Shame.

God bless us all and our Service men and women in harms way.