9-11 Never Forget...

We began our day baking cookies for local fire departments.  Our afternoon let us explore not 1 but 2 fire houses near our home.  Our night included attending the 9-11 ceremony at the Prescott Valley Civic Center.  They had over 3,000 flags up in their fields to represent all the of the fallen on that horrific day.  Each flag had a tag.  The tag had their name, age, hometown, and a little bit about them. Kids had teddy bears strapped to their flagpole while firemen had boots at the base of their flagpoles.  Lillian and her two friends were clearly touched by everything the evening included.  (As they should have been.)  As we walked into the fields I had already been thanking veterans and their families (always thank the families they make sacrifices too) while the announcers of the evening reminded people to thank fellow veterans!  Thanks you's go a long way with those that sacrifice so much for our freedoms.  The girls began thanking anyone they saw.  They ended up walking up to an ex Marine and actually brought him to tears.  He explained that younger people have no respect nowadays and that he was so joyed that they took the time to walk over, say hello, and sincerely thank him for his service.  He hugged them all and had them teary eyed (myself as well when I walked up a few minutes later).  I'm so proud of my kids for taking the time to really understand how important life is, how important it is to be thankful for the life they have, and especially for understanding how to thank those in our lives for any sacrifices they have made (firemen included!)