18 years and I still remember where I was at that moment

It has been 18 years and the memory is just as clear as if it just happened. I lived in Atlanta at that time.

I was awakened with phone calls from friends concerned about my safety. Until they called, I had never considered the consequence of any harm to me.

The first phone call I received was asking me to turn my TV on, "We are under attack."  I watched the news coverage in shock and the second plane hit a city and a building I had visited many times while I was living in Phadelphia.

I have friends who lived and worked in New York and I frantically tried reaching them. I remember attending a townhall meeting organized by a major network. I still remember hearing the emotions as I listened to a New York firefighter.

People of different faiths,nationalities, backgrounds came together despite the horrific tragedy

I will share some excerpts from (then) President George W. Bush address to the nation.

"Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge -- huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong."

"Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a Power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23:

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me.

This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

Thank you. Good night. And God bless America."