9/11 - Six Years Later

It happens very rarely, but on this day, I become a news junkie. My television is set to Fox News, my radio is set to KRLA (my local conservative talk radio) and I comb the blogs for everything and anything - the good, the bad and the ugly - related to the attacks on the World Trade Center six years ago today.

The 9/11 Commission Report states the death toll at 2,981; 2600 at the World Trade Center, 125 at the Pentagon and 256 people died on four planes 40 of whom died resisting their hijacker. All of them died a hero's death.

Six years later, it strikes me that we now have a generation of children who, for the most part, will never know a loved one who lost their life 6 years ago. Every year in New York, thousands gather at ground zero to commemorate these attacks and as the years pass on these kids, who without understanding why, will come up with their parent or guardian and will stand in the heat or rain to hear 2981 names being read and the bell that tolls for each one.

I can't help wondering what this day means to them or how they will view this event 10 years from now - on the 16th anniversary of 9/11. What is our responsibility, us who witnessed these attacks unfold first-hand to them? What will our legacy be - the truth as it happened or will it be the spun web of lies put forth by the jihadist, the extremist or the likes of Rosie O'Donnell?

From where I stand, it is clear what our responsibility is to those who come after us. We must never forget the significance of today's attacks, how they happened and more importantly, why they happened. We can have different opinions of the aftermath, like the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq - but let's not dishonor, disrespect and defile the memories of those who lost their lives in the service of this country that day.

With understanding and compassion, and in love, let us leave a legacy of heroism and truth for our children.