Forgive the nature of this post, but it is something that is always in the back of my mind.

Eight years and one day ago the word "Terrorist" was something mentioned about other countries. Nothing like that could ever hit here on American soil. Surely we, the greatest nation, would never let our guard down enough to grant anyone that opportunity to strike us so severely.

I grew up at the end of the Cold War. The Communist threat was eliminated, and the dawn of new expansion, technological and economic, was starting. We weren't looking over our shoulders at some foreign entity. We didn't know what an external threat really was. Sure, the US was involved in several "police actions" hell we even fought a friggin WAR, but there was no threat to us directly.

I have always been pro-military. In a generation that reeks of it's anti-etablishment beliefs and self-serving mentality, I for some reason have always believed in a strong country. Yes, I have a family history of military service, at least one person of every generation before me, up to my great-grandfather, has been in one service in the other. I remember singing "God Bless the USA" every once in a while. I even agreed for my parents to send me to military school. (They didn't...)

I bet every single person reading this can tell me exactly what they were doing when they first learned of the attacks. I was in the shower when the first plane hit. I shrugged my shoulders, thinking it was a terrible accident, and proceeded with my day. As i walked to school I learned of the second plane, and my view of the world shifted. THOUSANDS of people died. For exactly what reason, nobody knows. I don't even want to know, honestly. Then the great terrorist hunt began. Finger pointing started, and BOOM we were in Afghanistan. I supported this, they were the ones that started this, we sure as hell could finish it. As soon as I was able, I signed up for the United States Marine Corps. I was 17, and i convinced my parents to sign the papers allowing me to join.

Looking back at this event, eight years ago, I reflect on what this has done to me, personally. I didn't know anyone that was hurt or killed, but I knew that I had to stand up for them. When I signed up for the USMC, I was told by a teacher "Don't throw your life away". That pissed me off. Even after 9/11 BEFORE the invasion of Afghanistan it was considered throwing your life away.

I stood up for those that needed it. I still do.

Isn't that the American Way or is that another victim of 9/11?