Even though it was 15 years ago, everyone has a memory of September 11th. Everyone remembers the moment they were told that New York City would be forever changed. It was the moment I was told my father would be staying at the hospital to help people for a few days. It was the moment many of my friends and close neighbors were told their family was never coming home. Fifteen years ago the greatest attack on the USA since Pearl Harbor took place.

Everyone remembers something from that day, no matter how small or significant. I still remember watching the smoke come from New York City as I sat on the front steps of my house waiting for my dad. I remember holding my neighbors' hands as they cried for their uncle who would never return home. I remember listening to President Bush telling the people of the United States that we are not defeated, that we are mourning, but we are not defeated.

9/11 used to be just another day in the month, but now it's a day when so many tears are shed. It is the day that New York City and all of its people will never forget. Now, it is a time that the entire country goes on high alert for terrorist attacks. It's a time when people visit the Freedom Tower and walk through the ever prestigious 9/11 Memorial. It is a day to mourn for the valiant lives lost and to pray for all those fighting for the cause. It is a day to give thanks for the freedom this country gives us because the people who took down those towers, that is what they yearn for.

As time passes, people begin to move on with their lives. The children who lost their parents are now thriving college students. Families who lost loved ones are still on the learning curve of restarting their lives. No matter who people are mourning, they still mourn everyday. Everyday they wake up and relive the tragedy. So as 9/11 comes around, the country mourns together for the people we lost and the people we will always love. However, we must always remember that our classmates, our professors, our family, and our friends mourn those people everyday.