Dear friends,

During my lifetime, I have heard my parents, grandparents, and other family members recount times in history. Most would always start with "I remember where I was when…Pearl Harbor or JFK was shot.

For so many in my generation, we, too, had events to recall…the Challenger Explosion, President Reagan being shot, and the Oklahoma City Bombings. I had never experienced any of these events as a mother until September 11, 2001. Two days after Madisonsecond birthday, our lives changed in America. I had no idea how much the aftermath would affect my children, especially my son, Gabriel, then three and a half. As we watched the news and stories of the aftermath, he questioned why so many were killed and why bad men would do such a thing. Even at that young age, he knew what had happened and how devastating it was.

In the past few weeks, I have received many emails about remembering 9/11. They are all correct. As Americans, we have lost the patriotism we found on 9/11/01. Let us recall those terrible days five years ago and remember there are still men and women dying for this cause, for our freedom, and for us.

Michelle Head