Tonight is the eve of September 11th.

Twenty-five years ago this country woke up to a morning none of us will ever forget. Tomorrow we mark that day again. Tonight, before we lay our heads down, I just want to say what still needs saying.

We will never forget.

We will never forget the lives taken. We will never forget the first responders who ran toward the fire when everyone else was trying to get out. Firefighters. Police. EMS. Ordinary people who became heroes in a single hour. Our gratitude to them has no expiration date.

Our thoughts, our prayers, and our love go out to every family that still carries that day. Twenty-five years is a long time on a calendar. It is not a long time in a mother’s heart, a child’s memory, or an empty chair at the table. They should know this country has not moved on and left them behind.

It is important that we never forget that day. And it is just as important that we never forget how great the United States of America truly is — not because we are perfect, but because when we were hit, we stood up. We helped each other. We flew our flags. We took care of our neighbors. That is who we are.

On the eve of 9/11, as we go to sleep tonight, please remember all those who lost their lives that tragic morning. Say a prayer for their families. Say a quiet thank you to every man and woman who ran toward the danger.

We will never forget.

God bless them.

God bless the first responders.

God bless the United States of America.

— Phil

Friedman Adventures