September 11

Eight years ago on this day, while living in Hawaii, I remember waking up to the phone ringing at 3:45 in morning. As I wiped my sleepy eyes and looked at the caller ID, I recognized the number as my parents home phone. Quickly thinking something bad must have happened to a family member or there was a medical emergency, I braced myself for some bad news. My Mother was on the other end telling me to turn on the television two planes had crashed in New York City. As I watched, I heard her talking but nothing was registering, as I couldn’t believe my eyes.
As I sit in Afghanistan and reflect back over the last 8 years I’m still convinced we are on the right course for defeating the Global War on Terrorism. Even though the days are long, I miss my family, and some of the comforts of home there is nowhere else I’d rather be. Continuing to keep friends, family, and the country I love safe and free from attack is something I feel honored to be a part of.

During your day today please take a moment to remember the 2,993 people who died and their families. Don’t forget that their memory lives on with people like myself in far off corners of the world preventing another disaster from happening. Also remember the ensuing pride that was felt across the country as we banned together and proclaimed that we were “PROUD TO BE AMERICANS, WHERE AT LEAST WE KNOW WE ARE FREE.”