I can remember it still like it was yesterday.  It was a clear Tuesday morning like most here in Arizona and I was still asleep in the comfort of my waterbed.  As far as I knew it was going to be another great day living in the USA. 

**knock, knock**  "Brian, you might want to get up and watch this"  my mom came in and said.  Thinking that it couldn't be that important, I tried to ignore it.  A few minutes later my mom walked in again,  "Brian, you really need to wake up.  America is under attack!  We don't know from who or what all will happen, but were under attack."  My dad had called her just a few minutes before and told her of the happenings.  I remember walking out into the living room and seeing the first tower smoking.  The plume of smoke covered the skyline.  Scared, nervous and now feeling vulnerable, I decided to go back to sleep. 

Although I knew the result would still be the same when I woke up, I hoped and prayed that this was all just a bad dream.  Well we all know how that day ended up.  The World Trade Center towers collapsed, the Pentagon in flames and a lone plane lying obliterated in a field in Pennsylvania.  Thousands dead, the lives of their families altered forever.  For some it was a final kiss goodbye before work, for others it was a call from a panicked friend, relative, spouse who was stuck above the impact area unable to get out of the towers and for a few it was a call from a plane with an unknown destination.  

On the other side of a coin, it was a day of luck.  Some missed the train to work by seconds, for others the alarm simply didn't go off and for a few, a day of playing hooky from work saved their lives.  In the hours and days following the tragic event, it was clear that Americans could stand united.  Regardless of color, sex or political party, we were all Americans.  I remember that The National Anthem and God Bless America now took on new meaning.  I remember that people seeking answers and seeking God were filling the churches to capacity.  I remember a sea of red, white and blue as so many were now flying the American flag.  From the tragedy of 9.11 that showed how evil man can be, came hope, patriotism and faith.  A country divided by politics was now united.  A nation that was turning away from God, ever so slowly began to turn back towards God.  In a time of struggle and grief from those who lost, came a time of love and support for those who lost.  We were truly the United States of America.

So here I sit, September 11, 2008.  Seven years from that date and I can still remember, but what about you?  October 11, 2001 and America is still going strong.  May 11, 2002 rolls around and the churches begin to empty and the flags start to come down.  September 11, 2002 we still remember, but not as much.  As I drove to work today, I noticed very few flags flying and even fewer flying at half mass.  As I listened to the radio this morning, I was hearing the mud being thrown between Republicans and Democrats.  As I read the news this morning, I see an article discussing the topic of taking "In God We Trust" off of our currency.  Where have we gone?  How have we so quickly forgotten?

So what am I saying?  I guess that it is this.  Today, take time to remember.  Remember what it felt like that morning, remember what it felt like to see America united in the following weeks, remember the feeling of seeing God move through our land.  Remember those who were lost that day, the heroes that helped take down a plane in Pennsylvania, remember those who scoured Ground Zero looking for survivors and be sure to remember those who today, September 11, 2008 are fighting for you and your Freedom.  Freedom isn't free and there is always a price to pay.  So today, Remember.