9/11

Never before have two numbers joined together held such somber significance.

Seven years ago today, our country was changed forever. September 11th became no longer just a date, but also a stark reminder of the dangers present in the "New World Order" that took hold after the end of the Cold War.

I vividly remember being in my Reston, VA office the morning of the savage attacks that took the lives of almost 3,000 of our fellow Americans. At first, it seemed like an unfortunate accident. Bruce, an engineer who worked for me, stood in my office doorway.

"Hey boss, turn on the TV. A plane just hit the World Trade Center in New York."

"What did he say?" I thought to myself. I turned the TV on, and soon after saw the second plane hit the South Tower, followed by the attack on the Pentagon and the plane crash in a field near Shanksville, PA.

Everyone watching in my office, and surely across the Nation, knew in an instant that this was more than just a bizarre coincidence. We still couldn't quite grasp what had happened and why, but in the hours and days following these horrific events we had to come to grips with the new reality of what's now referred to as the "Post-9/11 World."

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who lost friends and loved ones on that fateful day seven years ago.

Prayers Commemorating September 11