Tens Years Since 9/11: We Will Not Forget the Attacks and the Sacrifice of Those Who Keep Us Safe Today

It's only been ten years? The world has changed so much it seems like a thousand!

With the memory and true meaning of that awful day in September 2001 becoming polluted by cultural relativism and political correctness (see Mark Steyn's column and Yoko Ono's "Wish Tree" for world peace)it's important to remember what really happened and how it changed the lives of everyone in this country.

And as we remember the events of that awful day, the great loss of life and the tragic heroism of so many, let us not forget the many thousands of heroes since who have sacrificed so much to keep us safe and continue to do their best to prevent such a calamity from happening again. Whether that is the cop on his beat staying alert to new threats, or the soldier overseas working to clean out terrorist hot spots or the intelligence agents and analysts who gather the information that helps us keep one step ahead.

With that in mind, here are a few photo reflections, starting in the present:

President Bush's Silent Tribute at Pentagon Says More Than Words Could Convey

Former President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush attended a brief ceremony at the Pentagon and laid a wreathe at the site where the plane on September 11, 2001 struck the building. He made no speech yet the message on his face and that of the First Lady were more compelling and sincere than any words read off a teleprompter:

Former US First Lady Laura Bush and former US President George W. Bush attend a wreath laying ceremony on September 10, 2011 at the impact point of Flight 77 at the Pentagon.

Looking Back in Photos:

Taken by Mike's America during the Centennial of the Statue of Liberty. The Twin Towers are part of the iconic cityscape of New York for decades. I recall the times when I drove up the New Jersey Turnpike headed back to the city and when I saw the Towers in the distance, I knew I was almost home.

Standing at the base of the towers and looking straight up, it never occurred to me that these buildings could ever fall. (photo by Mike's America)

Taken on another perfect fall day in more peaceful times,  this picture from the top of one of the Trade Center towers looking north out over Manhattan, you can see the shadow of the towers falling over the lower right foreground. What a horrible feeling it must have been to be trapped at the top with no way out. (photo by Mike's America)

While the families of firefighters, clergy and police who died on September 11th, 2001 will be present at the ten year anniversary, representatives of those groups will not by order of Mayor Bloomberg. The Mayor said "we don't have room for them." Ten years ago they didn't wait for an invitation to rush into danger and save as many as they could before and after the buildings collapsed.

The photo above was taken as first responders remove the body of Father Mychal Judge from the scene of destruction at the World Trade Center. The Father died while giving last rites to an injured fireman. The fact that there is "no room" for the clergy and first responders on this day of remembrance shows just how far the politically correct revisionists are willing to go to rewrite history.

Five years ago ABC News got together many of the children who were orphaned on that day. Ten years now these children have been growing up without a parent. It's the wound from that day that will never heal.

Remember too that amidst the debris and horror the American spirit refused to dim. That same spirit lives on today despite the efforts by some to dilute our strength of purpose and resolve with their "Wish Trees" and psychobabble!