Terry Branstad, Iowan Governor has ordered that flags be lowered to half-staff from Sunset Friday to sunrise Monday, to honor those who passed in the tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001. Residents are also encouraged to also fly flags at half-staff.

This story reminds me of where I personally was on that day, in New York in elementary school. At the time I remember not completely understanding the gravity of the situation, more like an action movie I was living in. Now having lived in Iowa for 4 years or so my life has changed culturally, but never so drastically as our country has changed from that point forward. We have accepted less privacy, our motivation for energy dependence has been advanced as well as some negative changes as in overall feeling of safety.

Remembering those lost in the tragedy is important and perhaps brought me to reflecting on how different a world this would have been if it had not. There is no denying most wish we could erase this dark day from history, but perhaps in the present, we can let our memories remind us to not take life for granted and to live with love in our hearts.

More From 94.1 KRNA