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Health & Fitness

Coming of Age in a Post-9/11 World

Ten years ago, I was 13 and super excited about my new, white Steve Madden platform sneaks. Then the Twin Towers fell, and everything changed.

When I remember September 11, 2001, I remember middle school. I remember a pair of new purple "back to school" pants, cuffed twice. I remember not being allowed outside at lunch. I remember not knowing why. I remember the pay phone in the cafeteria (we weren't allowed cell phones). I remember one kid trying to call their dad at work in Manhattan. I remember the call not going through. 

I remember a line for the pay phone bordering the perimeter of the cafeteria. I remember kids getting pulled out of class. I remember some of them not coming back for awhile. 

I remember a roll of paper towels on our coffee table. I remember mom using them as tissues. 

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And I remember exactly a year later, standing up in the high school auditorium with my hand over my heart. 

Today I live in Washington, D.C. And there's plenty of things I don't remember: not having to remove my shoes before boarding a plane, not being bombarded with "See Something, Say Something" ad campaigns, not being at war in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

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My generation came of age in a different era than ever before. And it has changed all of us in some way. 

In my life, I have dedicated much of my free time to supporting the troops. I have an adopted soldier in Afghanistan. I send him care packages. I volunteer. I visit military bases throughout the country.

On one of my trips, I met Marines in their early 20s. I thanked them for their service and we began to talk. Many told me they decided to join the Marine Corps after September 11. 

Some of them were ten years old that day. Some, even younger. 

September 11 has made me aware. Vigilant. Weary. I'd be lying if I didn't admit that with every plane I board, every subway I ride, there isn't a seed in the back of my head that brings me back to that day.

But, more than that, September 11 has emboldened me. Made me proud to be an American. Made me eager and willing to serve my country -- not in uniform, but with and alongside those who wear it. 

My generation hasn't had it easy. Entering adulthood in an era of terror, graduating college into a recession. But -- just like America itself -- we are strong, we are resilient, and we work hard because we know we can make tomorrow better. 

 

Get involved. Here are the organizations that I am proud to be a part of: 

 

Solider's Angels: Adopt a solider, and support them through their deployment with care packages and letters. 

Hope for the Warriors: Donations welcome, as well as your time. Send an e-mail to get on the volunteer e-list. 

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