It was a beautiful day. The sky was extremely blue and clear. Autumn was definitely in the air.  Like every September morning in our part of the country, we were welcoming fall with open arms.

We watched the morning news as the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center.We thought it must have been a terrible accident, but in those short moments, we became  aware that it was nothing of the sort . Within minutes there was another crash and one had been reported at the pentagon. It seemed like our whole country was under attack.

Soon there was another crash, caused by a heroic group of Americans who gave their lives to protect this country. That plane was bound for the White House. Smoke billowed across the cities and country sides – black, yellow, acrid smoke which thickened the air and infected the crystal clear heavens.

September 11 will live in the memories of all whose lives it touched that day. We grieved individually and as a nation. Our first thoughts were that our world would never be the same. New security measures would take away some of our freedoms. Our economy would suffer because of it. We didn’t trust everyone as we had before. We were more watchful and skeptical.

The American spirit didn’t die that day, as our enemies wished it would have. Instead we became united as a nation once more in a battle for justice. Fifteen years have passed.  Many young Americans don’t have first hand experience of the event, but those who lived through it will never forget.

We are still a free nation, but we’ve changed drastically.  What have we learned from this horrific event?  Have our moral values been altered?  Have we become apathetic to the danger that lies at every corner?  Have we turned back to the God who directs all things?  I fear things have gotten worse, but I will always remember the spirit of patriotism which rose up from the ashes of 9/11, and pray that our nation will once again see that we need the shelter and protection of Almighty God.