Sunday, September 13, 2009

We Will Never Forget

Can you believe that it has been 8 years? It seems like yesterday, but yet a lifetime ago. A time before Ethan, Olivia, North Carolina, Texas, Iraq, Oregon.... a time when we felt we were invincible because we lived in the United States Of America.
Our kids came home from school last week telling us that on Friday (September 11th) they needed to wear Red, White & Blue because it is Patriot Day at school. They had no idea why they needed to wear these colors or why this day was when it was. It occurred to us that even though we remember that tragic day like it was yesterday, they have absolutely no recollection of it. Eight years ago, as a nation, we promised that we would never forget. Many already have. Dan and I decided that we wanted to teach our kids about the importance of this day and why we will never forget. So we took them to Tempe Town Lake for The Healing Field.

This was so breathtaking. They have nearly 3,000 flags standing in remembrance of all the victims that died that day. You can not be there and not feel the emotions, the weight, that this day in our history brings. Some of the flags had a little note card with a story about a person attached. Even my children, who often seem so aloof, were in awe of the amount of flags in the ground. It gives some much needed perspective.




WE WILL NEVER FORGET


6 comments:

Andrea said...

What a cool thing to take them to. And you are right- how weird that they have no memory of that day. Very cool post and photos and lessen. Love you guys!

Garret said...

Beautifully written Jeni. Life can get so busy that we forget the things that have motivated our choices. We do indeed need to remember.

Unknown said...

Thats so cool that you took your kids to a memorial, I'm gonna have to ask Dylan if he knows what it is now. How sad is it that there were flags out everywhere and I had to check the date before I even realized what day it was, we can forget so quickly. You Rock

Susan Sorensen said...

How apropriate, Jeni, the when I click on this blog, Alan Jackson starts singing "where were you....". Ken and I went to see the flags on Saturday afternoon. We were wandering around among the flags, each going a different direction, reading the notes. Each time I ran across Ken he had tears streaming down his face....as did I. Thank you so much for your patriotism. You and Dan are great examples for all of us. We love you.

Duane and Jan Gibbons Family said...

What an awesome education you are giving the kids by exposing them to these things. I wish we'd gone to see it too.

Anonymous said...

Jeni you amaze me! I am so grateful that you reminded us about such an important day... Thanks for not forgetting!