September 11

Like most of us, I can still remember where I was, and what I was doing on this day. As I walked into the office, my co-worker approached me and asked whether I heard about the plane that flew into one of the towers in NYC. Initially I had no reaction. The magnitude of what was taking place didn't register just yet.

Next, I called my partner at the time who was working at the hospital. Nothing made sense to me yet, until he made it clear we were under attack. At that moment I felt an emptiness deep down inside, a fear and desperation of not knowing what to do. And granted I was several hundred miles away in Houston, Texas but the connection I had to my fellow Americans was nothing I had ever felt before. Moreover, never had I felt such patriotism and solidarity as an American like I did this day, and the days, weeks that followed.

Reflecting on the events of 9/11 brings sadness and tears to my eyes. Let's not forget about the government policies that continue to build hatred toward the U.S., and above all let us not forget about the survivors and those victims who were lost on this day.

I've included a link to this article on About.com: Ramon's Gay Life Blog, titled Remembering the Gay and Lesbian Victims of 9/11.

http://gaylife.about.com/b/2008/09/11/remembering-the-gay-and-lesbian-victims-of-911.htm