Happy Memorial Day and . . . Thank You

This Memorial Day there will be families gathering enjoying barbecues, picnics, fun and games.  I’m a 9/11 survivor.  This is something I don’t share often or easily.  It took me 9 years and therapy to be able to process what I went through and to be able to say it out loud.  It haunts me still.  Today my thoughts go out to those who gave their lives in Afghanistan and Iraq in response to the attacks. They went without hesitation in order for us – me, to feel safe again.

We all have different ideologies and no I don’t think we should have gone to Iraq and yada yada yada.  But the fact is, we went and brave soldiers died–for us.  They followed orders and I thank them for that.  On this day, my heart goes out to them and I say thank you as a survivor. You made us proud.

Let us never forget that freedom comes with a price. While I write this, my daughter is playing in her little kiddie pool in my backyard.   Men and women are working right now to make sure that she doesn’t have to worry about terror attacks, where she’s going to sleep, or where the bomb shelter is.  She gets to play.

While we’re enjoying our barbecues and ice cream, let’s not take for granted the freedoms, and opportunities we have in this country and be sure to say Thank You.