Remembering 9/11 at the Memorial

While in New York this summer, we visited the 9/11 Memorial. It was emotional and moving, as I anticipated it would be.

After you pass through security, you come out at the North Pool. There are two gaping holes where the Twin Towers used to be. In the midst of busy downtown New York, you certainly notice the absence created by the terrorist attack.

The water surrounding the four walls is continually running.

On the edges are the names of all the victims of the attack.

Again, the names are engraved in, as a reminder of the absence of their lives. This one especially tugged at my heart. Vanessa Lang Langer and…

…her unborn child. What a witness to all that life is precious and all life counts.

Having visited the 9/11 Memorial, I am reminded of all our country lost – and all our country gave – and all our country continues to give to protect our freedoms.

The freedoms we have in this country can not, and should not, be taken for granted. They have been ensured to us at a cost by many generations in the past. They are still being protected today by the many men and women who serve in our military today.

Today, on this anniversary of 9/11, as well as every day of the year, let us give thanks to God for the blessing of our nation. Let us give thanks for the freedoms with which we have been blessed. And let us never forget to do so.