September 11, 2001

I was on the way to the airport to catch a flight to Russia when my gramps called to say a plane had flown into the World Trade Center. I thought, it must be a small plane and got in the shuttle and left. During the ride, I heard people talking about who would bomb America, the first word out of my mouth was Bin Laden. But the magnitude still hadn’t dawned on me until we reached the airport to find everything was closed down and both towers had been toppled to ash.

Almost 4,000 people lost their lives that day, it forever changed the landscape of our country and how we think, for the good and the bad. So many lives were lost since September 11, 2001, while defending America and the rights of others. 

There are so many emotions I have on this day, and every day we were at war and have strong feelings now that the war has ended. I know many people around the world are conflicted and I understand. America could not stay forever, 20 years was an eternity to many and not long enough for some. 

There are not enough words to express my emotion for the lives lost and families affected, today, in the past, and in the future. 

God Bless America

Melinda