On this 10^th Anniversary, our eyes and hearts are all drawn to NYC, Washington D.C. and Shanksville, Pennsylvania. My eyes and heart are drawn in a different location. One that has given me the strength to continue bringing my message of remembrance and vigilance to those who read this blog.

I turn my heart and eyes to those two small people, which God gifted me with.  I draw my strength from 20 fingers. I draw my inspiration from 20 toes.

I draw my resolve from the 4 eyes that look to me for love, support, guidance, and protection.

The events of 9/11 unfolded before they were even a gleam in my eye, but that day forever shaped how I would care for them in fighting for the future and protection of my nation and of my home. The goal of the Islamic terrorists that day was not just a body count, it was an event meant to shake our country to its spiritual and emotional core. Designed to reap countless more victims who would not perish in the initial attacks, the intent was to shake our resolve in our very way of life. I am happy to say, they have not shaken mine nor from what I have seen, the resolve of many of my fellow Americans.

My children are far too small to comprehend why I light a candle on September the 11^th each year or of the tears I shed on that day which are both tears of mourning for the murdered and tears of joy that this nation has the enduring strength it has displayed in the aftermath. In time, I will explain the events of that day to them. I will share my story with them and the images that are forever linked with those memories. They will learn from a survivor the very meaning of that word and will realize each of us is indeed just that – a survivor.

God Bless my children and family. God Bless you and yours. God Bless this Nation.

“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”
Romans 5:3-5

Never Forget