Silver's blog: "NEVER FORGET!"

Every generation has its defining moments. A moment in time that everyone within that generation will remember for the rest of their lives. Many people can tell you where they were for these defining moments of their generation. The exact thing they were doing when news came down to them of the events unfolding. For my generation, it is, without a doubt, that disastrous day on September 11th 2001. The entire Nation stopped and watched the events unfolding. The only movement was that of the first responders to the once noble and proud Twin Towers, the vast and once seemingly secure Pentagon, and to that field in Pennsylvania. The Nation held their breath waiting for confirmation, answers, reassurance. Many people across the nation were frantically trying to call friends, family, and loved ones who were flying on that once normal Tuesday morning as well as those who were working in the targeted areas. 

Police, EMT, and Firefighters were called from near and far to assist in recovery efforts. For many, their bravery cost them the ultimate sacrifice. They responded and did the job that they swore to do in circumstances they never thought could exist. So many additional lives were saved because of them and as a nation no thanks will every be enough. 

The many lives that have been lost since The War on Terror began will never be forgotten. The American troops that take arms to defend this great country and her freedom are due the ultimate respect. In the long run, not only are lives lost but minds, bodies, and hearts are damaged from war. These men and women that fight every single day will never be the same. Respect that even if you don't agree with the cause. They are doing their job so that we can do ours. 

I am shocked that it has been ten years. Ten years of the world being a different place. Our country underwent the most drastic of transformations on that clear and sunny Tuesday morning so very long ago. The life of every single American, young and old, was morphed  that day in our not so distant past. 

On this, the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11, we are left with new developments, some good and some bad. Just like any nation recovering from madness, we had to pull ourselves together and find a solution to the many problems we now faced. Feeling safe was out of the question, as was opening our borders to those who appeared to be seeking a new way of life. We were forced to step back and reconsider all that we held dearest to us. Our way of life was no more and after we mourned the many losses due to the terrorist attacks on our soil, we were forced to mourn the loss of our very way of life. 

Take today to remember. Remember those lost but never forgotten. Remember the powerful unity yet vast seperation we felt on that day and the years to follow. Remember the lives lost on and since that day. Remember every single family member who is without a mother, a father, a daughter, a son, a sister, a brother, an aunt, an uncle, a friend. Remember the soldiers that are still fighting to this day. Remember the first responders to the 9/11 attacks who were running into the heartbreak as everyone else was running out. Just Remember.

Do you remember where you were 9 years ago on this day? I bet you do. I bet nearly every American born before that day could tell you exactly where they were. For some the events of 9/11 touched far deeper then others. For those of us that did not directly lose a loved one, a family member, a close friend, we were all still touched on a deep primal level. Those images that flashed before our eyes on every media frequency available. The days of living the way we once did, ended at exactly 8.46 AM when Flight 11 was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. It was 9.49 AM Central Time when I heard the news. I could go into grave detail of the feelings that overwhelmed me on this day but my personal feelings do not play a part in this. It was the feelings of all of the souls trapped in that tower, the feelings of this, Our Great United States of America, that matter. It is the thoughts of those people stuck and knowing they will DIE. And for what? What was going through these peoples minds as they watched Flight 175 crash into the South Tower at 9.03 AM? And this began the tragic day that no one will ever forget. Much was lost on this day. Including the LIVES of everyone on flights 11, 175, 93, and 77, lives lost in the towers as well as on the ground in New York City, as well as the Pentagon.  The events that took place on this day will always be remembered as the day that changed history. By not forgetting this we enable ourselves to never ever FORGET. To NEVER FORGIVE the wrongs born upon this GREAT COUNTRY!The day that gave the country a new outlook on life, and FREEDOM! I, as many, refuse to live in fear. I refuse to let the actions of these men control how I live my life. 

I know this, however, every single day I say a small thanks to the responders. The brave and valiant that went in full bore to try to save as many people as they could. Knowing full well that at any moment there own lives could end. And many did. Many made the ultimate sacrifice.

I say a small prayer as well, for the 2,977 souls lost to be at peace. I do NOT consider the lives of the terrorists in my count. Their peace means nothing to me just the same as our peace MEANT NOTHING TO THEM! And still does not to this very day!

Thanks to the soldiers that still continue to fight for this great nation.

Thank you to AMERICA and our freedoms and our rights. The great many things that we have that many do not. I go to work every day and I am blessed to have my job, have my house. have MY LIFE!  

And as I write this I look up and out my window at work to the sound of Harley's approaching on the main road in front of my work. There's a procession of at least 30 bikers that drove by me. Each with a large American flag attached to the back of their bikes. This sight has brought a round of tears to my eyes. As it would any American on this day.

NEVER FORGET!