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This feature was originally broadcast on September 11th of 2014. Thank you for joining us in remembering and honoring the lives of those lost on this tragic day.

On September 11, 2001 at 8:46 AM – I was wrapping up the morning show in our Nation’s Capital area at Seven Locks Broadcasting when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. At first I thought that is must have been a small private aircraft that had run into some kind of trouble. A few moments later at 9:03 AM, United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South tower of the World Trade Center and we knew immediately we had a serious problem.

Then at 9:37 AM, not far from our studios, American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon Building in Washington. Every broadcast facility in the country was focused on the attack against the American people. The Pentagon strike pretty much ended the speculation regarding the prior events of that morning. We all knew that we were under attack and wondered how extensive the plan was and what would happen next. Someone had come up with a way to attack the Untied States of America using our own planes with our own citizens on board.

At 9:59 AM people watched in horror as the South tower of the World Trade Center came down. It took almost 10 seconds for the entire building to collapse. By this time officials were busy accounting for planes in the air and trying to anticipate the next location of potential disaster. United Airlines Flight 93 was identified as a potential high-jacked threat. Many analysts of the day’s events believe that the terrorists aboard Flight 93 intended to crash the plane into the Capital or the White House. But before President George W. Bush was faced with making the horrific decision of having the United States Air Force take down a plane loaded with US Citizens, the heroic passengers and crew of Flight 93 attempted to regain control of the aircraft. The result of that battle in the skies brought Flight 93 down in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania – killing all on board.

At 10:28 AM the North tower or the World Trade Center collapsed. The time between the initial attack at 8:46 AM and the total destruction of both World Trade Center towers was 1 hour and 42 minutes. We all knew that the United States would never be the same.

In the weeks and months that followed, the people of our country refocused. Families came together, sons and daughters were hugged, Moms and Dads were treasured. Democrats and Republicans talked and worked together to safeguard our homeland. Flags flew and banners blew, proclaiming our unity as one nation under God with liberty and justice for all. Churches began to work together serving their communities. There were even joint services and no one really cared if you were a Presbyterian or an independent expression of faith. People were grateful, and as we stood united as a people during that window of time – we found ourselves counting our blessings and getting back to the things that truly matter.

Fast forward to 2014. I believe that it would be a good thing today to take some time to think and reflect on the things that truly matter. The 2,977 people who lost their lives on 9/11 had no idea that they were facing their last day on this earth. If this was your last day on earth, what would you do differently? How would you talk to your sister, brother, or Mom and Dad? How would you treat your co-workers or other members of your student body? I would venture to say that our words would be seasoned a little differently and our actions much more loving and compassionate. Today may be the perfect day to pull our heads out of the technology and look someone in the eye and let them know that you love and appreciate them. For those who can not find a way to put the technology down, let’s purpose to use it for good, encouraging one another and building each other up instead of tearing someone down. In reality – life is very short. So, with thankful hearts, let’s make the most of every heartbeat God gives us.