Always Remember, Never Forget

The Twin Towers Tribute Lights

We all know what today is. So many people have written or talked about it over the years. 

September 11th, 2001 will never be forgotten. It's been 21 years and it's still remembered by so many. 

I know I've written many of these same thoughts on this blog over the last couple years, but I will do so again. 

I never met him, but I always think of Bobby Hughes, my cousin's cousin (too difficult to explain), who was working in the Twin Towers and lost his life that day. 

We watched the broadcast of the ceremony this morning where all the names of those lost are read, and the bells are rung. 

The six bell ringing signifies when the planes went into the Twin Towers, when the towers fell, when the plane went into the Pentagon and when the plane went down in the open field in Shanksville, PA. 

We saw Bobby's name flash on the screen. We then heard one of Bobby's sisters mention her brother later on in the ceremony as she was one of the readers of the names. 

We all have our memories of that day. Where we were. What we remember. 

I was six years old. I remember being in Ms. Kozlokowski's (Ms. K) first grade class at Riverfield School. We were in morning meeting when we first heard. 

Mrs. Breisler, one of the secretaries, came into the classroom to give Ms. K the news. I feel like there was an announcement made of school being dismissed early. 

The next part of the day I remember is getting out of school and being picked up by both my mom and dad. My dad normally would have been at work in Farmington, CT, but was out of work early, due to the circumstances. 

I don't remember much of the rest of the days or the days that followed. 

I do remember going to Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey in 2002 with Cub Scouts and standing on the observation deck and looking across the Hudson River at New York City and seeing the blue tribute lights where the towers stood. 

On days like today, I think about my Uncle Gary, who is now a retired Port Authority Police officer, who was part of the clean up and recovery at Ground Zero. I also think of my cousin, Kim, my Uncle's daughter, who is currently a Port Authority cop. 

I also think of those my Uncle worked with who lost their lives. I am currently wearing a t-shirt that lists the 37 PAPD members who lost their lives on 9/11. We of course think of everyone who lost their lives that day. 

No matter how great or how little we were directly impacted, the day and the events of the day have impacted all of us in the United States, and the impact is felt even more in the New York-Metro area. 

It's a significant day in our history. For people of my age, it's the first major US event we were alive for. It's our Pearl Harbor, as an example. It needs to be talked about. Students in school now need to be taught about it. 

Everyone talks about what the world was like on Sept. 12, 2001. When everyone cared for one another. Not that we ever want a situation like that again but we need to get back to that. The sense of community.  

I've probrly written more that I should have. Or more than I needed to. 

The bottom line....

We need to continue to honor those lost. We need to always remember. We need to Never Forget.