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[cool]The shock and the memories of those first news reports will remain with me always. I was the manager in an office of some twenty people. We had a TV in our meeting room and I pretty much closed the office within minutes of the first strike, so that all could follow the events. By the time the second plane hit, we were all in shock. I told everyone in the office that our lives would never be the same. I am sorry that I was so right.
As I read in the morning paper today, the one good thing that came of it was that it showed the world...and reinforced to us...that we can hold up against almost anything...and become better as a result.
But, that will not bring back those whose lives were lost. It will not fill the holes left in the families of those victims. It will not erase the feeling of violation we all felt when we realized that some evil force had penetrated the defenses of our great nation, and proved that we are not invincible.
Even after two whole years, many families and many businesses are still affected by the events of that day. Some will never recover. I don't think any of us who experienced it will ever completely get over it. I won't.
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What I have so much trouble dealing with is everytime I see the pictures or hear the names read it's like it's happening all over again for me.
I served for 4 years in the US AIR FORCE during Desert Shield and Storm. People who serve in the protection of there country have to have a special love and respect to be ready to die for it.
That attack hit my soul. I was ready to re-enlist but could not due to health issues I developed recently.
Two of my good friends were part of the fighting force which invaded Afganistan and removed the Taliban from power. As an Patriot I wanted to be there too.
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[cool]Patriotism and getting a lump in your throat over matters of the country...or even just the playing of the National Anthem...are things you never have to apologize for.
I never served in the armed forces, but lost friends in the Vietnam conflict. I did not know anyone personally who had a loss in the 9-11 tragedy, but that does not keep me from having deep feelings of personal loss and a profound feeling of sympathy for those who did.
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American ". In that song he mentions his dad served in the Army until he lost his right eye but he flew a flag in his yard until the day that he died. 
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