September 11th, now known as Patriot Day, is a day to remember and honor our fellow Americans who died in New York, Washington D.C. and in a field in Pennsylvania. It is also a time to remember and honor those heroes who have lost their life in the line of duty and protecting our freedoms defending our country.
I encourage all of us to take just a moment to remember, not only those Americans who died in the attacks on September 11th, but also the families who lost a huge part of their life on that dreadful day.
Despite the ignorance, intolerance and hate that exist in the world we can continue to build a strong nation and move our country forward by refusing to accept hate as an answer, by refusing to accept discrimination and racism, and instead choosing compassion, kindness, and acceptance.
On this 18th anniversary of the 9-11 attacks let us call to mind those times when we have been tested as a nation but never forget the more important times when we have stood strong as the United States of America.