Last Sunday, we all focused on a day of remembrance.
Many of us were lucky to have our loved ones return home on that fateful Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. Others were not so lucky.
Each of us will forever remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard about the planes striking the World Trade Center's towers, in New York, and then hitting much closer to home as one struck the Pentagon.
Our family in particular received a wake-up call that day. Both my husband, John; and my brother, Eric; worked in the Pentagon.
Having worked there myself, I was able to determine what offices were affected based on the pictures on TV. Knowing their offices were OK only gave me some peace of mind, as I also knew meetings were held throughout the building, and John had called me earlier to say he was going to a meeting.
After hours of concern, my children, Kelli, who was 5 at the time, and Jay, then 3; and I were thrilled to learn that my brother was OK and to see John's car coming down the road on his way home.
Sept. 11 has seared into our brains the importance of family and showing your love on a daily basis.
I personally was extremely fortunate that I was no longer working at the Pentagon.
On Sept. 15, 2000, I suddenly decided to resign from my job at the Pentagon to stay home with our then three children. This came as quite a shock to many people since I loved my work and my job in the "mini-city."
Hindsight makes it eerie that this sudden urge came almost exactly a year before the attack. Add to that the fact that my usual work day began with the long walk from the south parking lot at the Pentagon along the E-ring past the heliport and up the stairs to the third floor. Had I still been working, my arrival time would have coincided with the plane's arrival.
To this day, my family and I believe that listening to my heart and making this one decision most likely saved our family from the heartache experienced by so many.
In the end, a beautiful Tuesday morning gave way to an eerie silence that lasted almost a week as no air travel took place. The tragedy led families and communities to bond close together for the first time in decades.
Ten years later, we remember the brave men and women who gave their lives saving others; we remember the innocent passengers, workers and bystanders who saw their lives flash before their eyes in an instant; and we remember the mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, co-workers and best friends who lost a loved one in a single moment of time.
We should remember and use the knowledge learned on 9/11 to make our families and communities better places every day of every year. Tell your family and friends how much they mean to you and how much you love them every day. Help those in our community to find friendship and help when needed.
Make 9/11 count every day through your words and actions.
Congratulations to MacArthur Middle School seventh-grader Cathy Sucgang on her wonderful summer accomplishments. Nova Talent International selected Cathy to represent the United States at the 2011 World Championships of Performing Arts, in Hollywood, Calif., in July.
She competed in the junior level vocals category and brought home a bronze medal (country), three silver medals (Broadway, R&B/jazz and rock) and a gold medal for her rendition of "Dakilang Lahi" (world music). She was also named the overall junior winner for world music. Congratulations to our local songbird; we all look forward to hearing you perform.
Mark your calendar now for Maryland City Elementary's Bilingual Literacy Night, for of students in pre-kindergarten to second grade and their families, on Tuesday, Sept. 20, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Also, plan to attend the school's Back to School Night Tuesday, Sept 27, from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
If you have a middle school student, mark your calendar for Tuesday, Sept. 20 for Back to School Night at Meade Middle, from 6:15 to 7:30 p.m.; and at MacArthur Middle, starting at 7 p.m.
Meade High School offers everyone the opportunity to attend MeadeFEST Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free door prizes, food and giveaways should entice everyone to show up.
Activities include school supply giveaways, immunizations, a community organization fair, a book swap (bring old books to trade for new ones), arts and crafts, and more. Complimentary transportation from our area will be provided from Maryland City Elementary School, with pickup at 9 a.m. and drop off at 3:40 p.m.; or from Russett Library, with pickup at 9:10 a.m. and drop off at 3:35 p.m.