Sept. 11, 2001! It’s hard to believe it was 22 years ago that the United States was blatantly and willfully attacked by terrorists. The horrible scenes of the Twin Towers in New York as they were hit and fell to the ground were shown by the media. Many innocent people were killed. Then the Pentagon was hit miles away in Washington D.C. It was unbelievable. How could this be happening? Later it was learned an airplane hijacked by more terrorists and was headed for more destruction but crashed to the ground when brave heroes decided to take charge and didn’t let the terrorists fulfill their plans. Many lives were lost that day, and in the days and years following. America rallied and united vowing something like this would never happen again.

Now 22 years later, have we Americans forgotten all that happened on that day? Time has passed by quickly. Is the rallying cry still being heard? For those who remember that day, there are prayers so America does not forget and for those who died that day will always be remembered. Are parents and grandparents sharing this with their children and grandchildren? We must pass the torch of awareness and patriotism.

Is this country prepared for another terrorist attack? Some experts believe we are not. The terrorist population is growing and strong. We must be prepared. It could happen again.

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I don’t know about you but whenever I hear the National Anthem played or sung, I get goose bumps. I was raised to respect the American Flag, the National Anthem, our military and this land of the free. Every Memorial Day, at veteran funerals, and at local parades, my father and his brothers, along with other veterans, would volunteer to serve as the American Legion Color Guard. They were proud and honored to do so. My grandmother, mother, aunts, sister and I would join the American Legion Auxiliary and attend the meetings and partake in the many patriotic projects that were important to us and our family. Today, it breaks my heart to see people burning or tearing up the American Flag, and not showing respect as the National Anthem is being played or sung. American pride needs to be carried on.