Today is Patriot day, September 11th, 2008. Seven years since the 9/11 tragedy. Seven years since thousands of people lost their lives in a matter of less then two hours. Sons, daughters, fathers, mothers. All lost in what seems like the blink of an eye. All lost for reasons we may never understand. My heart breaks for the families and friends who all lost someone that day. They watched the news in terror; just waiting, hoping, praying for someone to walk through the door just one more time. Some remembering the good times they had with their lost loved one. Others regretting that fight they had the night before, wondering why they didnt say "I Love You" just once more. Some regretting they survived, wondering why the person sitting next to them didnt make it while they walked away.

All were affected in someway that day. Even those who didnt lose someone, lost something. While three buildings collapsed and toppled, all of America lost a piece of itself.

We lost 343 brothers that day. All fulfilling their duty, all doing their job, all answering their final call. I wear that number on my chest now, every day a reminder of what was lost on that fateful day. A memorial to the men who gave their lives. May we never forget them.