I can hardly believe that it has been eight years since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon; arguably the worst calamity ever wrought upon thousands of innocent Americans.

I remember the American Airlines’ pilots sitting in Fred’s office, the hundreds of stranded travelers in our conference rooms, and the sad yet steadfast media trying to report on the tragedy.

I also fondly remember the outpouring of support from friends and neighbors who offered help to stranded passengers here at CAK; their brothers and sisters in need. Lastly, I remember when the sky was still and quiet in the two days that followed the attacks as we as a country regrouped, mourned our dead, and then ultimately returned to the skies.

I am still moved by those days…not only by the tragic, needless attacks on our country but moreover by the way we came together to help one another out of the dust and darkness of despair.

So today, I write this post as a tribute to the men, women and children who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and on the airplanes. And although I wish it would have never happened, and that those innocent people were still with us today, I thank them for the beauty, love and caring that resulted from their tragic deaths. It is a powerful legacy and the United States of America is a stronger country because of their sacrifice.