Honoring Heroes

Today is a day that many people around the world remember with deep sadness. They remember where they were when they heard the news. They remember what they saw on TV for weeks afterwards. They remember the shock and the anger. Everyone has a memory of that day.

In the aftermath people rallied, reached out to the ones that they loved in their lives, supported America and clung a little harder to the important stuff in life. Years have passed, is it just another day to most or will it be one that forever changes us? Will our children remember this day?

9-11 touched our family in a very deep way, not because we personally knew anyone who lost their life but because we are part of the brotherhood and lost 343 members of our extended family that day. It still brings forth deep emotion in our family and is still cause for our hero to choke up, which in itself is a very rare event. That event stirred something deep within my hero and I believe that stirring is part of the reason he struck out on a new career path which lead him to what he does today. He has always had that fire within him, but something about the loss of so many kindred spirits really struck a chord. He is passionate about the safety of those that serve in the fire service and is blessed to be able to channel that passion into a job. Our family is always aware of the sacrifice these heroes make every day, not just on days such as 9-11.

Many heroes were born and lost as a result of the events of 9-11. Take a moment to reflect upon the kind of sacrifice it takes to be a hero. What are you willing to give? How can you honor the unsung heroes in your life, your neighborhood and your country?

*** This was originally posted 9-11-08