Ten years ago, as this year’s senior class began their day as second-graders, a hijacked plane hit the north side of World Trade Center.

Many of us don’t remember exactly what happened September 11, 2001. We can only piece together faint memories of moments and conversations. For some of us, all we remember was an unexpected early release.

But 9/11 means so much more than that. The World Trade Center was not only an economic powerhouse, it was also a symbol of dedication to world peace and belief in humanity. When the Twin Towers fell, America was brought to her knees. We united as a nation and mourned for those who lost their lives. As we tried to pick up the pieces of our shattered nation, we grew even more proud to be an American citizen.

Yet, ten years later, those feelings of honor, unity, and remembrance have faded in the background. 9/11 now means terrorism, hatred, and prejudice against Muslims. We have forgotten the families left without a loved one, the sacrifice made by the heroes, the troops sent overseas to serve our country in the ongoing war against terrorism.

So here’s to the father who had to leave for work before his daughter woke up, to the brother who rushed into the hungry flames to try to save people he had never met before, to the recent graduate who had her whole life ahead of her, to the person on the plane who was on her way to visit her family.  The lives of those lost are worth much more than just a moment of silence. This 9/11, Panorama asks you to remember those we lost and salute those that continue to fight for our freedom with us. #