The 20th Anniversary of September 11, 2001

If you are in the United States you are probably encountering something today in regards to the attacks on the World Trade Center twenty years ago. I know everyone is doing it, but I wanted to reflect a little to pay tribute to those who lives were lost in the tragedy, but also to the first responders and to the men and women in the military that served and continue to do so. I feel I do not do it enough, but nothing I have done on here could be done without those who have served in the military. By God's grace, I am a human who was born in this country at this time period. Had I been born in other places on planet or at a different time period my life would be very different. I probably would not have the type of free leisure time for blogs, pictures, and videos. 

About an hour ago I was able to watch a short motorcade that was delivering twenty-three tons of wreckage to be displayed at the Nixon Presidential Library:

It is hard to believe it was twenty years ago. Where has the time gone? Like most people around during that time I remember exactly what I was doing when I saw the news. It was kind of pathetic, but I had worked a really long day before on September 10th, 2001. I was exhausted. I did not have to be up as early the next day so I slept in an extra hour or so. I then lazily got online and saw the news. I remember just watching the news most of the day and talking to family. My martial arts instructor called letting me know classes would be cancelled that night. There was a lot of fear that, even being on the west coast, that the areas I live near could be attacked.

Life is a lot different now. In some ways I feel much safer than back then, but at the same time the recent issues with leaving Afghanistan make me worried of another potential attack. Those in charge have A LOT to answer for on that. I am reminded of a famous line Bane delivered to Batman in The Dark Knight Rises: "Peace has cost you your strength. Victory has defeated you." I do think it is important that we remain vigilant against people who hate western views of freedom and democracy.