Remembering 9/11

The last couple years I have gone downtown to the World Trade Center Site on September 11th to pay my respects and remember the tragedy that occured there.

There is a lot of new construction taking place...



I can't believe that it has been seven years since the terrorist attacks in our country. I feel like we live in a very different world. My roommate, who teaches first grade, was saying how her students were born after 2001. They live in this post 9/11 world and that's all they know. It's strange for me to think that they have always known airport security the way it is. That they are familiar with homeland security's "threat levels" (we are currently at level orange in case you were keeping track) http://www.dhs.gov/xinfoshare/programs/Copy_of_press_release_0046.shtm

The other thing I wanted to say was how grateful I am for democracy. Last week we were at the Brooklyn Library and I was reading the inscription they had on wall outside (beware: another tangent)

"Here are enshrined the longing of great hearts and noble things that tower above the tides. The magic word that winged wonder starts. The garnered wisdom that has never died. The Brooklyn Public Library through the joining of municipal enterprise and private generosity offers to all the people perpetual and free access to the knowledge and the thought of all the ages."

I think that we often take for granted the access we have to this knowledge. America was based on these ideas that knowledge and power could be given to all of its citizens. I am sad that it takes someone challenging or threatening that ideal that makes us realize its importance. I hope we don't take our freedom for granted!
(end of tangent)

Now, I am off to the airport to pick up Kelli...