Have you forgotten???

I have to be really honest with all of you today in letting you know how disappointed I am in myself for shear complacency in remembering the tragic events of 9/11. I am ashamed to say that my day started like most others, up before the sun, and out of the house with the rising of the sun for another day of "business."

My day today started with a 7:30 meeting followed by a 9:00 meeting, which was followed by a 10:00 meeting that preceded a lunch meeting that culminated in a 1:30 interview for a prospect we were looking to hire. (We did hire)

Aside from a few minutes of talk show dribble as I dashed from one meeting to another, no part of my time today was spent remembering those who lost, and those who continue to fight to insure our freedom into the future.

I said to my Dad this morning in a brief conversation that today should be made into a national day of remembrance to honor those who were lost, and to pay respect to those sent to protect as a result of 9/11.

After much thought though, the prospect of another day set aside for one purpose would only give corporate America the opportunity to launch another day of sales designed to separate you from your money, and in that would ultimately trivialize the sacrifice made that horrible day.

Sadly I confess to you, the true horror of that day has been forgotten. Replaced by the day to day routine we are all guilty of participating in. My son is growing up in a world vastly different from the one I grew up in, and if I forget the horror of that day, how can I explain it to him so that he will understand.

Funny thing is 6 years ago, American flags were hung in respect after the attack. People gathered in church and turned back to God. New friendships were forged by neighbors meeting neighbors. And the strength of our country was strong and unified, a united front for the rest of the world to see.

The memorial that had the massive spotlights arranged that resembled the fallen towers were like a middle finger being shown to the terrorists who executed the attack, and real smack in the face to them that said, hey, we may be down, but we won't be for long.

Six years later, we soldier on with our lives, callous and complacent to what happened, content to pretend like it never did. And I am guilty of that, and I am ashamed.

For those of you affected by either the loss of a loved one, a friend, a colleague, a job or in any way connected to 9/11 I owe you an apology. And I am sorry.

We should never forget.

Take care...