Since the events of September 11, 2001, each American has tried to get their lives as organized and as normal as possible. American pride still shows it's face in the land of the free, our flags of red, white and blue still fly within the wind hung at homes, businesses, and around the county. However, these flags now resemble a sense of time passed. Their colors no longer are bright rather they have faded and are now torn. Similarly enough on this day, exactly one year after the attack, the skies do not bear a sign of smoke and all is peacefully quiet in the area. Americans today went to work as they did a year ago but now they carry something extra with them that they did not carry anytime before. On my way to work this morning, passing through Pinefield I noticed our flag at the park was lowered to half staff. The flag flew today as it always had. However, as I looked further down I noticed something that was different. Different in a way that made me sad yet made me proud to be an American and reminded me of what this country means. As I slowly drove by, I noticed a soldier standing quietly by himself with his hands tucked behind his back. A soldier dressed in his military uniform, a soldier standing with pride, a soldier who was standing alone. It touched my heart and I began to cry because I knew that this soldier was really not standing alone. He had all Americans standing with him on this day, he had the victim's, and the victim's families. I am grateful today because my father works at the Pentagon and was only a few hundred feet away from the impact site. He was not directly affected but I am sure that he misses his friends who died very much. For you see, he has a few less people at his lunch table now. My father could have been easily taken away from me and my family. May God bless America and each and every one of us for we all have been affected by this terrible tragedy. We will never forget these events and will remember them in our own ways. I love you very much Dad....more than words could ever say. Brandy Hodgdon |