Never Forget

If I used just those two words would you have any idea what I was referring to?  This September 11th marks 15 years since the attack in New York and Washington D.C.  A total of 2996 people died that day.  Of those 343 were firefighters in New York City in their heroic effort to save others.
At the time my son was an Air Force firefighter serving at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.  Like many others his instinct was to get on a plane and help out those in need.  Due to security all forces, including firefighters, were grounded.
I worry that 15 years has been to long of a time and our memories blur and fade.  We live with terrorism every day now.  Just going to an airport or attending a marathon may result in being another innocent victim.
I think each of us must do two things.  First, do not live in fear.  I believe the primary mission of terrorist is to instill fear and the second is to kill.  How we live we can demonstrate to potential terrorist that we do not live in fear.  The citizens of Paris have shown the world how to live on after a terrorist attack.
Second, we must never forget and we must honor all the victims of 9/11.  Since my son is still a firefighter it is easy to remember.  Across the nation there are organizations working to raise funds for fallen firefighters, one is the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
To raise funds for the foundation a Memorial Climb will be held in Dallas on 9/11.  Firefighters will wear 70 pounds of gear and climb the exact number of steps that the firefighters at the World Trade Center climbed in their effort to save people.  I am proud that my son and one of his firefighter buddies will participate in the Memorial Climb.
Here is a link to the Memorial Climb event, the firefighter on the left is my son:
https://www.crowdrise.com/hinton-and-owens--dallas-911--memorial--stair-climb


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