I try not to go off topic here at the Fair Housing Defense Blog. But today, on the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, I will make an exception. Eleven years ago, I lived in northern Virginia. And worked in downtown Washington, DC. It was a surreal day. Information started coming in. First one plane hit. Was it an accident?  Or something else?  Then the second plane crashed.  We were under attack.  And then the Pentagon was hit.  Rumors abounded about exactly where the next plane was headed. The U.S. Capitol? The White House? Cell phone service was out. The internet was frozen.  Bridges were closed. Traffic was gridlocked. Everyone was on their own and we were directed to get out of town and go home.

And I am just writing about Washington. In New York, it was ten times worse. Video of that day remains seared in the memories of all of us who remember.  Lower Manhattan was literally on fire. Men and women were scrambling to get down and then out of the World Trade Center and surrounding buildings. Hot metal, bricks, wood, concrete, soot, and ash were everywhere and on everyone. Almost 3,000 people lost their lives that day.

And yet, during that scene, our first responders were going UP those blazing staircases to help people. Our police and fire personnel stayed on duty in the most hazardous of situations so the rest of us could get out. And since that day our military personnel have been fighting in Afghanistan and elsewhere in an effort to ensure 9/11 is never repeated. 

We are asked from time to time if the current generation of Americans rates with the generation that won World War II? I say the answer to that question is a resounding yes. And I point to our military and first responders (who volunteer to serve our country, I might add).

If you see a police officer today, shake his hand. If you see a firefighter, give her a wave. You will be glad you did.

Just A Thought.