Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning? Never Forget 9-11

In my opinion, September 11, 2001 is more relevant than ever before. Without making this a political post, I will briefly state that national security is at the forefront of this upcoming 2016 election. Today is about the lives lost, the mourning families of the victims and the heroes who saved as many lives as they could, often falling victim in the rubble as they tried to save one more. But it is also a harsh reminder of the attacks on fellow Americans that have occurred on and since September 11, 2001.

So much of our country and our world has changed since that day. Fear is okay and expected. It is not racism or racial profiling. It isn't even hate toward one individual at all, but fear of the lengths the bad guys will go to pretend to be one of us, only to harm ALL of us. We should not fear but practice vigilance and alertness. Maybe that feels better to say than the word fear. Having ID with your real name to identify you is not racism or racial profiling, especially if every person is being asked. I feel safer when I feel protected and I show my appreciation to every individual in uniform, who buy the way didn't ask anyone's background or examine their skin color when escorting them out of the burning buildings. That's how I don't let the fear of what could happen overwhelm me even though the terrorists didn't ask what anyone's background was before hijacking planes and crashing them into our most esteemed and respected buildings.

Without laws, we don't have a country. Our laws kept us safe after that September day, but many can't say the same about the world we live in today. Let's strip away labels and come together as one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Stop the separation, fighting against each other as if any person is better than the other and remember that we are all Americans.

I remember what it felt like after 9-11. I was in homeroom in high school when we heard what happened. My dad came and got me a few hours later because my parents didn't know if schools were the next target. I finally understood the magnitude of what was really going on, but every time I went somewhere for months and months after, people all of a sudden acknowledged each other. It reminded us all how precious life is and how we really did come together. I finally understood how deep the word "patriotic" really is. I will always respect and love my country, my freedom, my flag and every other symbol that represents this great nation.
I don't know what happened to us as a nation since then, but I hope we get it back.

God bless the lives lost, the heroes, the heroes' and victims' families and God bless the USA.

If any of you find this offensive, too bad. Freedom of speech and I'm being patriotic, not hateful at all.