I’m flying today. I always think about the separation that folks my age have towards Pearl Harbor. I’m too young to feel the impact of that event. Although I mourn and am so deeply indebted to those who’s lives were involved in Pearl Harbor I keep an empathetic distance because I’m just too young to really understand. I remember September 11th like yesterday. I always will. I find myself slightly jealous of all of my friends that are too young to remember that day. On days like this I wish that I was them. For as unjust, mixed up, hurtful, disrespectful, and outright unfair that this United States can feel to me on some days, this is still MY United States. This is my home. I love my home. I always will. I will defend it and fight for it even on its worst days because I’m old enough to remember. I’m old enough to remember the sacrifices folks have made for me to feel safe. I will never see the numbers 911 the same again. Ever. I remember years ago being afraid and thinking that I’d never fly again. But like our country does it fought, it adapted to what would now be a new normal, it went into survival mode, it learned how to grow and change. And time did what it always does... It healed. I will never forget September 11th and I say that today with a pride that not all of my friends can truly understand. I remember that day, that moment, that second. So many sacrificed that day and have sacrificed since to bring us back to this moment that we are now in. I’m just so thankful. Truly, thank you so very much. It’s because of you and your sacrifice... I’m flying today.