This has not been an attack on the World Trade Center or the Twin Towers.  This has not been a tragedy unique to New York City or to the United States.  Sometimes I think the media forgets that there were two other "ground zeros".  There were THREE crash sites on 9.11.01 and there were lives lost at all three of them.  I'm not opposed to the all day coverage in the media today to remember and honor those who died.  I am however opposed to the narrow focus of the coverage.

Over 4,000 planes were ordered to make emergency landings that day in a 2.5 hours time span.  Entire cities in clusters were all but shut down for at least that day. Military bases all over the U.S. were put on high alert. The United States - and every single occupant that day - was under attack.  OUR country was on high alert. The WORLD was effected.

Innocent people died.  People from many countries, people of many religions, people of all races died a year ago today. People from all walks of life lost brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters. They were family, friends, in-laws, fiancees, lovers, neighbors, cousins, mentors, role models, teachers, coaches.  Heroes in life, heroes in death.

Everyone, everywhere has been effected in some way. Not one single person deserves any more recognition than another.  Each person, each crash site, each attack, each event is equally important as the next.

They got up that morning and went to work; They got up and got on a plane.  Period. They did not volunteer to go to war, it was thrust in their faces without option. Never part on bad terms.  Never part with unkind or malicious words.  Kiss / hug / tell the ones you love.  You never know.  Possible, though not probable, you never know.

As you reflect, I hope you too will give thought to every being, alive and dead, who has been affected by 9.11, and realize that no matter how much we know, we will never really know what happened that day.  Appreciate your safety that morning and be grateful for where you are today! Acknowledge how fortunate we really are.