September 11, 2001

I just want to take a moment to reflect on a day that brings back so many emotions and heartache. This is a day that we all seem to come together and remember how thankful we are for the lives we have. We must honor those we lost and those who serve today for our great country. A thank you just doesn't seem enough sometimes...

This day reminds me of our trip to DC when we visited Jon, Shannon and Taylor. It was my first trip to DC which meant that I had to see EVERYTHING! I will never forget when I stepped foot on the grounds of the Arlington Cemetary and the feeling that overcame me. Obviously, the overwhelming sadness is your first feeling, but I was totally taken back by the absolute beauty of it all. The respect shown to the soldiers and their families is more than words can describe. We saw many loved ones who were spending the day beside their lost soldiers with pictures and other memories in hand. Joe had lost a friend in battle on October 31, 2006, he left behing a wife and two small children. We found his headstone which had a lipstick kiss on it...I thought about that family and how they get through not only every day but every Halloween without their father and husband.

We also visited the Pentagon which has a memorial on the grounds in honor of the people who died on September 11, 2009. When looking at all of the names and listening to the stories of these people it just makes me angry and sad. It's not fair and I will never forget...

If you have not had the chance to visit DC I highly recommend going. We all love to travel somewhere warm and sunny to get away from all of the craziness, but we need to show respect and honor to those who make our lives possible.

God Bless America!

Here are some of our pictures from our trip, ENJOY!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=39230&id=515813468&l=5151650621

Love,
Jen

P.S. Sorry for the emotional blog, just seemed appropriate today.