Where Were You When The World Changed?

My mom remembers where she was when JFK was shot and many remember where they were when The Challenger exploded. But everyone old enough (including myself) remembers where they were on this day 17 years ago when the world changed.

I was a sophomore in college and had just finished a class. When I walked into my loft, I saw my roommates glued to the TV. I looked on and just as I did, I saw the second plane crash into the Twin Towers. I joined my friends on the couch and we just watched the events unfold all day long as America was under attack.

Growing up in New York, I could see the Towers from my "backyard". Like everyone, I was, sad, mad, angry, confused, and had plenty of questions. The biggest, of course, was "why?" A year later, I went to New York to visit family and we made our way down to Ground Zero and it was a site to be seen. Now there is a beautiful fountain with the names of the people who lost the lives that day, but before that it was mounds and mounds of rock and metal. I'll never forget it.

So on this day, remember, be thankful to the men and women who serve our country. Stop by your local fire station, police department, EMS building and thank the men and women who help keep us safe. But most of all, hug a family member, friend, co-worker to remind them that you love them very much.

Never forget what happened on September 11, 2001. It's a day in American history that will stay with us forever.