Nine years later

I remember where I was nine years ago this calendar day.

I was in my 8th grade social science class when we heard that America was attacked. We weren't told the details of the attack; simply that we were attacked. All after-school programs and sports were canceled so we could all go home to fully understand what had happened. I heard that the Pentagon was attacked, but nothing else. When one of my teachers found out about this, she pulled me off to the side and specifically asked me not to say anything to the other students for fear that something bad could happen.

When I got home, I couldn't stop watching the horrors that were being displayed on the television: buildings collapsing, people running from the falling debris and dust cloud, and quite possibly the most disturbing thing being people actually jumping from the upper levels of the building. I didn't know how to feel. I was sad, mostly because I knew that a lot of people had died because of the combined attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. After the initial shock, I became more fearful than anything else. I knew that war was just over the horizon.

It was from that day that two words have been the rallying cry for the entire ordeal: "Never Forget."

Never forget the lives that were lost, both because of the attacks as well as the brave men and women who were there to rescue and support those injured.

Never forget the pain that we, as a nation, suffered from a faceless entity.

Never forget the families who lost loved ones because of the attacks.

Never forget the bravery of those on Flight 93 who stood up in the face of terror and sacrificed their lives so that others could live.

I haven't forgotten. I never will.

It surprises me to see who has, though.

Flying the flag at half-staff is now required at all federal, state, and local governmental buildings on this day. It's a sign of respect for the fallen, the fighting, and grieving. In my eyes, it's the least an organization can do to show respect if they're flying a flag.

So when I saw the flag flying at full staff at the American Red Cross building in town, I was completely dumbstruck by the situation. The American Red Cross. I simply couldn't believe it. I almost wanted to go into the building and remind them what today was to save them from further embarrassment.

The other one that kind of surprised me was a UAW building that shall remain nameless. For all the grief I get from disgruntled UAW members about being "unpatriotic" because I drive a Honda, which is "foreign made" (fun little tidbit - my "foreign made" Honda was actually made in America, out of parts made in America, by American workers), you would think that they would take the time to put their flags at half-staff in memory of this day. Because making cars is the most patriotic thing you can do in America, according to them. Never mind my four years of military service. I drive a Honda, ergo, the terrorists have already won.

I certainly hope that this has given people the opportunity to reflect on the events that not only had an impact on our nation's future, but also set the stage for the future of world.

We will never be the same.