September 11, 2013.
It has been twelve years to the date of the not-so-forgettable attacks this country endured, and as I travel along the west coast, I am reminded of the things many of us put in the back of our minds leading up to this day.
Traveling, to many, is rather easy. You're in, you're out, and you're on your way.
But there have been numerous times where fellow travelers are unaware of why airport security, especially TSA, sticks to the guidelines they set following 9/11.
I recall days when you were able to meet the passenger you were picking up at his/her gate, being asked to go through security just like any other passenger.
These days, it is far-fetched to think our country can return to that point.
Trust, as it was, has gone out the window.
Now, regardless of skin color, everyone is looked at as a potential threat - with a very good reason.
Everyone is from a different walk of life. Everyone has their own agenda, and that is not to be overlooked.
But, in my eyes, everyone deserves their fair chance to do as they wish, except when putting others lives in danger.
When I first booked this flight, I didn't think much into traveling on 9/11, as did those who lost their lives that fateful day.
But as they date approached, I started to recall the memories of that morning.
Where I was, what my reaction was, and the reactions of those around me that day.
This is a day our country will not soon forget, as it never should be.
For years, citizens stood by our government with the faith that we could rid the world of hypocrisy and dictators.
But what we didn't expect was a band of free-thinking extremists could devastate our country as it did.
It has been known that history repeats itself, but where did we see this coming?
As we look back, we see the evolution of time, the evolution of people and the evolution of thinking.
Are we to think something like 9/11/2001 can happen again?
Are we to think that a president like George W. Bush, who many look back on as one of the worst to be elected, actually knew what was going on that morning while he sat in a Florida classroom?
What can we take from the memories we still have from this day - many of which still bring tears to our eyes?
We must, as a people, and a country, move forward, as many have suggested.
We must stay strong to our beliefs, as separate as they may be from others around us.
We must stay true to our country, even as many of us do not feel those appointed leaders have the power to change the things many feel need to be changed.
We must remember those who risked their lives in the moments after the attacks, and those who enlisted their services to join the military in remembrance of those lives lost.
But most of all, we must be thankful for the things we have.
Many are not as grateful to have the things we do, to be able to do the things we do.
In that light, is there a better way to pay honor to those who risked their lives for the well-being of the rest of us?
As a sports fan, there is no better way to pay homage to those who risked their lives, and those who were lost in the attacks, than to have the baseball teams in New York don the caps of the first responders.
It may be tough for many to admit, but to me, it is a necessity.
This country has been through a lot, but we must honor those who are not around to see today.
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