September 11, 2001

Race. Gender. Religion. Political Status. Economic Status. Football. These are things that divide us as a nation. On September 11, 2001, America finally did one thing together, weep. This was the first time we had felt vulnerable as a nation. The first time we stopped our monotonous routine, to watch our nation succumb to an attack. 2,996 people lost their lives that day and more than 6,000 people were injured.

Those people were fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, and friends. Some watched as the buildings went up in smoke from the TV. Others watched from below the building. Many who were in the buildings, didn't even know what happened.

10:28 a.m.: The second tower falls.

One building falling from the sky was bad enough, two buildings just added accelerant on the already rampant wildfire. The world seemed to stand still that morning. Many remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news. For me, I was 5, and when I got home from school, I remember watching the footage replay on TV, but not fully understanding the magnitude of the event. My generation is the last generation who can say that they were alive when the towers fell. For the rest of the generations to follow, they will have to be taught about it in their history class.

September 11, 2016 was the 15th Anniversary of the attack. Recently, as a nation, we have been divided. This Sunday, we all stood together again and honored the fallen, but why should it stop there. Why is it that we can band together a few days a year and be proud to be Americans, but the rest of the year we remain divided?

Race. Gender. Religion. Political Status. Economic Status. Football.

It's OK to stand behind our values, they make us individuals. It's not OK to let our differences drive a wedge between us as a nation. America was founded as a refuge for those fleeing from government persecution. It was built as one nation under God. It was built by the people, for the people. We are the United States of America, let's start acting like it.

God Bless and Never Forget.

This video is worth the watch, and a great reminder of how the day panned out.