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The one thing on our family’s mind on the 10 year anniversary of the September 11th attacks, is the fact that my husband is on the soil of the country that attacked us. It’s surreal. My husband, like many others, joined because of September 11th. He didn’t join for the money, or the benefits, or the medical care, he joined because he couldn’t stand by and twiddle his thumbs while his country was attacked and he believed that if he didn’t stand up to fight for this country, than who would?
As a military family, September 11th means a lot to us. It is important for our family to honor those who died that day, and during the span of these last ten years. It is important for us to teach our children about the sacrifices that our friends, and strangers, have made on our behalf, and at the same time, it is important for us to teach our children about the sacrifices our family continues to make and WHY we make them.
The kids and I will attend whatever memorial service the base will host, but in addition to that, we will write little messages on some balloons, and release them to heaven in honor of all of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice as a result of the attacks. After we release the balloons, I will take them to go do something fun, in honor of those who perished, and in honor of those who didn’t, but still live with the scars from the tragedies that consumed all of us that day.
On September 12th, my family, along with countless others, will resume normal routines, but unlike many non military families, we will continue to serve this country, alongside our soldier, as a direct result of the attacks. Our 5yr old son will start Kindergarten next week, but his father won’t be here on the big day to give him support and see him off. I will become a published photographer in a few months, but my husband, my best friend, won’t be here to celebrate that accomplishment with me. Our 2yr old daughter will have her first princess themed birthday party for her birthday soon, and her father won’t be there to be the only male proudly sporting a princess tiara.
I’ve never once wondered what our life would have been like if the attacks didn’t happen, but everyday has been a testament of the result of that horrible day. As my family prays for the souls lost, and all those affected by the attacks, we will also pray for our fellow military families in arms, because although our country as a whole was attacked that day and patriotism doesn’t seem “cool” anymore, we continue to pay the dues each year, and serve proudly alongside our soldiers, day or night.
So well said. My husband too joined the military in part because of September 11. He felt strongly that he should do his part and couldn't sit around while others did it for him. And this year, he is on foreign soil as well, our daughter started kindergarten without her daddy and we celebrated 10 years of marriage apart. But that is all part of serving and we do it proudly! Great post!