My thoughts on 9/11

As we enter the 12 year anniversary of 9/11 I've had mixed emotions about the topic.

I've noticed some people are going on with life like nothing happened. They go to work, get married, take their kids to school and live life in general.

Others have no choice but to remember what happened that day as they say silent prayers at gravestones, visit the various sites of attacks or find their own way to remember what happened and say their "Thanks" to the brave men and women who died that day.

Some of you may say that to move on with life as if nothing happened is to show that America will always remain unchanged despite how terrorists try to thwart our unity. Others say that it is somewhat of a "holy" day and should mean we get a day off of school and work to pay tribute to what happened to our country.

I will say that I agree with the latter, but only if people will actually teach their children what happened, why America is important and what our flag stands for. So far, I see kids running around on the 4th of July, Veterans Day, Memorial Day and so forth without realizing any significance.

This is the fault of the parents for not teaching the future generations of our great country any better.

Bear in mind I'm not saying force your children to sit and watch the news footage of current and past wars or what happened on 9/11. What I am saying is that even at the age of 3, children remember a lot of what you say, despite what you think. Just reminding them at a young age that the flag is never to touch the ground and is a very important artifact we use in our country will suffice until they are older.I'm also not saying don't have fun with fireworks and BBQ's on July 4th.

Yes, I personally volunteer with different military groups and am (what I consider anyhow) a diehard patriotic person. Politics has nothing to do with teaching your children the history of the flag or the importance of why we take certain days off of school or work.

I guess what I'm saying is stop running to Wal-mart to make these historical days just another BBQ or party day for your family or friends. Incorporate a moment of silence into the gathering to pay respect and teach children and others to remember that your celebration came at a great cost to many.

Whatever you choose (or have to do that day since not everyone can take off from work or school), just take 30 seconds or a minute of your time and remain silent and say a prayer for those who have had to pick up the pieces as family members were lost. If you want to do something more, write a letter to a service member and express sincere gratitude for what they do.