Originally Posted By NYthrillseeker On this solemn day of the 5th anniversary of the attacks on 9/11/01. I just wanted to make a note that I will never forget that horrible day for as long as I live. As a New Yorker, I guess I am fortunate that I did not know anyone personally lost that day, but the horrors of that day are still way too real, and still very vivid in my mind, and always will be. Since that day I have paid my respects at Ground Zero in NY, and have visited both Shanksville, PA and Arlington, VA. The people who live in these places will never forget, nor have I. I just hope that other Americans have not forgotten about this infamous date. It was not just an attack on New York & Washington, or on America, but it was a direct attack on our freedom as Americans. Even if this tragic day had little effect on your life, which I am sorry for you if it didn't, as a proud and free American no matter where you may live, show your colors today. Whether it be a flag outside your house, or a small pin on your lapel. Let us never forget what happened on this day.
Originally Posted By LPFan22 Amen to that. The victims and families are always in my prayers. I'm wearing my colors and am proud to be an American. I pray that everyone unites today and remembers how fortunate we all are to be here.
Originally Posted By RAM1984 I fly our colors everyday. And I am grateful that I can. I do not think we will forget. It is one of those memories that stays in your head. My granddaughter was only 2.5 and talks about the "movie" where the buildings burned and people died. I am 53 so November 22, 1963 sticks in my mind as does September 11, 2001. On that day I happened to be with my aunt and my mother so for them September 11 was added to November 22 and December 7. I found their discussions very interesting and enlightening as we watched things unfold and they spoke of hearing about Pearl Harbor on the radio and seeing Kennedy's funeral in black and white. I was deluged with phone calls from concerned friends and family worried about my son who was just finishing Marine Corps boot camp. I will admit that my first thought was, "I do not want my son to go to war!" Then I had an overwhelming sence of peace as I thought of how anyone who has died for our country had a mother. I could not be that selfish. I know we all have our specific memories. I do not think there is danger of us forgetting.
Originally Posted By nevadarebel I too fly my colors each day and today as my children were getting ready for school, they all seperately chose to wear their 9/11 shirts. I was very proud that even though they were 5, 3 and 14 months at that time, they have gained that sense of pride. We visted Ground Zero just 2 months ago while in NY for my FIL funeral. On this day 5 years ago, we did not know if my FIL was alive or taken with the thousands of others but luckily it was not his time to go. He was taken from us this year so 9/11 is a tough day for all of us because we relive the emotions of that day every year. My husband lost numerous friends on that day as well so my prayers are for the families that were left behind.
Originally Posted By DlandDug We put out our flag this morning, as the kids went off to school. I was living in Southern California on 9/11, so like many here I woke up to it. It still seems in many aspects like a nightmare. Jamie and the kids were living in Arlington five years ago. So their memories are quite vivid. It was Jamie who reminded me to be sure the flag was out.
Originally Posted By DlandJB Breaking my rule about posting in WE for this. I lost two college classmates in the World Trade Center bombing. A total of 5 people who graduated from my university died there. Although I did not lose anyone in the Pentagon attack, I remember so clearly the sights and sounds of the day. We lived only 2 miles from the Pentagon. Friends of mine who work at the Pentagon did lose close friends and a former boss of mine, stuck in traffic on the highway that passes by the Pentagon witnessed the crash. Needless to say, there is a lot of personal pain in the events of the day and ones that won't be soon forgotten. I'm also very proud of how people pulled together that day...and very sorry that such cooperation couldn't stand the test of time.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 While I haven't quite exhaled yet (haven't made the subway trip back to Brooklyn yet), it does seem so far like a blissfully normal day. I did something I haven't done in a long time - got up extra early so I wouldn't be on the subway at the height of rush hour. I pass through Pacific/Atlantic station in Brooklyn, which after Times Square is the busiest station in all of NY, with a dozen subway lines converging there. The NYPD already broke up a plot to bomb that very station a while back, and for a while after 9/11 I was always on edge going through that station, being the sort of ultra-obvious target that it is, and the subways being always packed with people carrying large backpacks, suitcases, briefcases, etc., which are almost never checked. But what could you do? I have to pass through it twice a day, so I do. I firmly believe in not giving in to the fear, and I made it a point to be back at work on 9/13/01 (the subways were down on 9/12), though I understood why a lot of people stayed away for longer. But not giving in to the fear and not feeling it every now and again are two different things. It took months to sort of get over that edgy feeling on the trains, and now I only feel it on anniversaries. Today being the 5th anniversary, I made sure to avoid rolling into it any time before the height of rush hour. And still felt a little on edge when the train stopped just short of it - as it often does without me thinking twice about it. Except today.
Originally Posted By jonvn Wait, what are we supposed to not forget? What happens when the next attack happens and it's worse? Will we forget then?
