It’s hard to believe the 10th anniversary of a very tragic day in American history is only days away. The pain, the memories and the war lives on each day which makes it seem like it was only yesterday not ten years ago.

It was on this day, ten years ago that the United States was attacked by Al-Queda. Terrorists took control of four passenger jets. Two crashed intentionally into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York. A third crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia and if that wasn’t enough a fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The target was intended for Washington, DC.

It was a day I’ll never forget as I sat in my office and someone announced the explosion in the Twin Towers. Immediately, I turned on my computer as so many others did. Televisions and radios were all on to get a glimpse of what was happening and trying to understand why. The silence in the office was deafening and tears of sadness and disbelief that this horrific event was happening to us in the United States. How could it be? We are the land of the free; free to do what we want, when we want without fear of terrorism as other countries experience daily. It’s why we feel so blessed and so fortunate to be an American and to live in America.

Over 2900 innocent people died from the 911 attack. Soon thereafter, the United States of America responded to this event by launching the War on Terror. Since this time, much of our military focus has been in Iraq and Afghanistan. Troops have and still are being deployed to these countries to ensure we in the US remain safe and free from terrorism.

From 2001 through present – 5,796 men and women have died in combat and over 41,000 have been wounded. One of these fallen soldiers’ was my step-son, Airman William Newman who died in Balad, Iraq on June 7, 2007. I remember William telling us that the people of Iraq appreciated them being there and he was able to see firsthand, the smiles on the children’s faces and the grateful attitudes of the Iraqi people. Many of the Air Force men and women my husband and I met at William’s memorial service and funeral echoed the same.

Almost ten years after the attack, Osama bin Laden was found and killed in May 2011.

The construction for the new building to replace the Twin Towers was expected to be completed in 2009 known as the Freedom Tower. However, there have been many delays so the completion of the new building is now set for 2013 with the new name of 1 World Trade Center.

On September 11, 2011 the 10th anniversary of this sad day, the National 9/11 Memorial will be dedicated for the victim’s families. It will be open to the public on September 12th and is located at the site of the former World Trade Center in Manhattan.

There will be several 9/11 commemorations throughout the country with live TV and webcam viewings. Many local events will also take place.

It is with deep sadness we remember all those who lost their lives on 9/11 and for all the fallen soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice fighting the War on Terror.