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Patriot Day By Bobbie Eckel The date September 11 is burned into our hearts and souls. On that day, in 2001, as most of us were getting ready for work, our radios and TVs interrupted all programming and began to show and talk about the horrifying events unfolding. Four airplanes were hijacked. Three of the airplanes were deliberately flown into the New York World Trade Center Twin Towers and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. As the day progressed, we heard of the heroics of Americans in the skies over Pennsylvania who prevented more carnage by forcing another terrorist hi-jacked airplane down in a field near Shanksville before it succeeded in reaching its target. In the days following September 11, we listened and watched as efforts continued to save lives, re-connect families, help those in need, find answers to a multitude of questions, and comfort a nation in mourning. We cannot forget the courage of those who assisted, risking their own lives to do so. Nor can we forget the grief of the families torn apart by terrorist action on that morning. More than 3,000 innocent people lost their lives. Untold families were shattered. The economic impact was immense. But the United States did not surrender to this attack. In our anger and sorrow, we vowed to learn from our experience, to take steps to make our nation more secure, to double our efforts to fight for freedom and the security that we all too often take for granted. On Dec. 18, 2001, by a joint resolution (Public Law 107-88) Congress designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day." In a proclamation from President Bush on the first observance of Patriot Day, the following year, he noted "…we will not forget the events of that terrible morning nor will we forget how Americans responded … with heroism and selflessness; with compassion and courage; and with prayer and hope. We will always remember our collective obligation to ensure that justice is done, that freedom prevails, and that the principles upon which our Nation was founded endure." Patriot Day is not a federal holiday. Schools and businesses do not close. Public transportation runs on its regular schedule. Some Americans may take time out to hold prayers for the victims of that terrorist attack, but remembrances are individual and do not effect public life for more than a few minutes. However, on the direction of the President, the flag of the United States should be displayed on homes, the White House and all U.S. government buildings. Flags should be shown at half-mast as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. A moment of silence is often observed at 8:46 am (Eastern Daylight Time) in recognition of the time the first plane hit the World Trade Center. Please take the time on this September 11 to remember, to re-commit to being an involved citizen of our great nation, and to do your individual part to assure that our great nation remains free. Community News | FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | SEPTEMBER 2013 5

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