Some 9/11 musings

Like most people, I can remember the morning of 9/11 perfectly. What I was doing, where I was at, etc. Let me recap: I was working nights at a factory and had just gotten home and was getting ready to play on my newly acquired Playstation 2 (now THAT's a sign of the times!). I was setting on the couch when our home phone rang (another sign of the times) and Cory told me to turn on the TV and see what was going on. She has told me that the radio stations had bee interrupted by a news report saying that a plane had hit one of the World Trace Center buildings. I turned on the TV in time to see the second plane hit. I knew, in that instant, that our world would never be the same again. Like everyone else, I spent the rest of the day glued to the TV watching the news and the horrors happening in NYC. I saw both buildings collapse. I saw people running for their lives. I saw a collective gasp of horror/shock from the people on the street and news anchors alike.
Our world did change that day. America no longer felt safe. For some reason (of which I still don't understand) we all took to the streets to buy food and fill our gas tanks. Mostly fill our gas tanks. Every gas station in our area was mobbed and gas prices were a shocking $2.99/gallon (!). I met Cory at a gas station in Pierceton to get gas and try to process what had just happened. Both of us sat for days watching the coverage hoping against hope that survivors would be found. We held our breath with the nation as crews finally made it down to the subway station below the WTC where it was expected that a group of survivors would be found. There were none. By Sept. 17th, we all accepted the fact that the search and rescue had become a mission to recover whatever remains could be found.
So with all that being said, I honestly feel like 9/11 is becoming less and less important every year. In 2001 we truly bonded as a nation. Everyone was on the same page and we all had one purpose. Now, 9/11 is lucky to get decent coverage on the national news channels. This was my generation's Pearl Harbor. I suppose this is how the survivors and others felt by 1952. It seems to be a little less important every year.
So no, I don't forget 9/11. For some reason I still get the same feelings of dread when I watch the footage of the planes crashing and buildings collapsing even though I know it's going to happen. But I don't throw it in everyone's face about not forgetting. To me, it's more of a private thing. I don't know why. I also don't agree with the all the conspiracy theories that it was an inside job by the government. To those people: show a little respect. Our world changed that day. The best thing we can do is salute the heroes, pay our respects to the dead, and move forward. But don't forget how you felt that day.
Cheers