A Tribute to America, My Homeland

This 10 year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks has brought many things into perspective for me, especially as I watched several of the television programs covering this catastrophic event after spending a few days this summer right next to Ground Zero. I remember when I first heard the news of the attack on the World Trade Center. I was in sixth grade in health class and we received word over the intercom from the school principle that two planes had been flown into the two towers a few minutes earlier. The teacher brought in a TV as we watched the terror unravel before our eyes. I remember being shocked, horrified, and extremely frightened. I had a friend in New England who's father flew planes and I tried not to think that there was a chance he had been on one of those planes.

As I spent time overseas during my time abroad, I became increasingly more thankful for the country that I grew up in. Before I went to England I had a very cynical view of America that was very characteristic and popular for my generation especially during the Bush era. Yet after Obama came into office and the standing of the United States began to improve in the eyes of our international counterparts, my view of the country began to improve. However, as I said, my time overseas really changed my opinion because I realized that the character of our nation and reliance above all on freedom of the individual made us one unique place. My heart swelled with pride as saw the stark differences between the rights of American (especially speech) and the rights of those in England. I yearned by the end of my time there to return back to my homeland and enjoy the culture so unique to the United States. 

So in this time of remembrance, I wish to thank the heroes who gave their lives and put their futures on the line for each of us every day. While many of these heroes signed up to fight for us in the armed services or in public service roles, others simply stepped up at times of need to help their fellow man. So many of these individuals go unthanked and now today, I wish to thank them all. Thank you for your compassion, actions, and sacrifice. You inspire the rest of us to be better people to each other, animals, and our planet. I truly hope after this 9/11 anniversary that these heroes, especially those who braved the terrors of the World Trade Center attacks and still survive, will receive the care and help they need.

Tomorrow I will publish my weekly fashion post as today I felt it would be more appropriate to honor the unsung heroes of America.