September 11, 2001, is a day that will be remembered forever. Compared to today, 2001 was a relatively innocent time. The threat of a terror attack was far from the minds of Americans, but the safe bubble that America believed it had created for itself was soon going to be destroyed. During this time, people were so immune to the thought of this ever happening on America’s soil that when it did people were shocked and devastated. Everyone around the country was watching and everyone who is old enough to remember can recall exactly when and where they were when they first heard the news. I asked my family if they remembered and they all immediately told me the time and place when they heard what was happening.

My dad was at a Shell gas station, my uncle was at the Marriott hotel in Portland, Oregon and I was sitting in my first-grade classroom seemingly unaware of the horror that was unfolding in front of me on the television screen. If you were alive during that time, you simply can’t forget the impact that day had on you. What happened that day brought sadness and anger, but it also brought people together. This day was the one thing that every single American could and still can relate to. Social status, wealth, poverty, and education do not matter. The poorest of the poor and the richest of the rich can recall this day and the emotions shared are what matters and what needs to continue to be remembered. As humans, we have the ability to rise above whatever tragedy there may be and show deep down we are all capable of love and kindness. On September 11^th, we did just that.

As a country, we came together and rose above this unspeakable tragedy. It is important to remember this day not only because of the victims, survivors and heroic first responders, but to remember the kindness and love we all showed one another during that time. Right now, we need to unite more than ever. This isn’t about politics. This is simply being a human being. Take this day to pay your respects and reflect. Ask yourself: What can I do to make this country a better place? And, what can I do for my fellow human being? This day will never be forgotten and it will always be a reminder of the evil human beings are capable of inflicting, but also a reminder that most of us are good people and will do whatever we can for our country and for others.