It's been 11 years since the series of four suicide attacks were committed in the U.S September 11, but in some ways it still seems like yesterday.
If someone mentions the terrorist attacks, your mind is able to flash back to that autumn day almost immediately.
You could have been a student sitting in English class at school. You could have been a businessman or woman at work. You could have been enjoying your retirement with a good book in your favourite chair at home.
We all know exactly what we were doing when it happened. Where we were, who we were with, and when we heard the news. We remember flipping on the radio and, no matter what station, hearing the devastating reports.
The North Tower of the World Trade Center was hit first, and 20 minutes later a second plane flew into the South Tower. Half an hour after that a third plane was flown into the Pentagon, and a fourth crashed to the ground less than 30 minutes later.
Terrible things happen all over the world every day, but it isn't often when one single event shakes billions of people to their core. Some were shaken physically if they were anywhere near the site, but many more were shaken emotionally when they saw the footage repeated on every news channel.
The devastation America felt was unimaginable. Shock and sorrow seeped into countries around the world. Thousands of people were killed in the attacks, and countless others are still suffering from related illness today.
It’s sickening to think that each and every individual killed in this horrific event was someones husband, wife, daughter, son, friend. Those left behind with only the thoughts their loved ones still suffer today.
Though the painful memories are still floating around, some of which will never heal, so is the continuing support.
Over 10 years later, even communities like Barrhead never fail to honour those who were lost.
This weekend the Barrhead Fire Department held its annual Heroes in the Sky fundraising event. Four volunteer firefighters, two men and two women, spent 30 hours enduring the heat, wasps, and water balloon ambushes all for the sake of the department.
The department members below sold calendars, answered questions, and provided a hot dog lunch.
Climbing up on the roof of the Co-op gas bar was primarily to raise awareness and money for the local department, but there was a reason it was held on this particular weekend in September.
We may be separated by country boarders, but as human beings we are able to stand united.
"We host it on September 11 [weekend], just so we have that memorial for 9/11 for brothers and sisters that were lost down in the States," said deputy fire chief Gary Hove.
This week we need to take a moment to remember the innocent lives that were lost on that fateful day 11 years ago. The damaged buildings and rubble may have been cleaned up, but some wounds remain invisible. It was an event that changed the world we live in. A day many of us remember, and one we will never forget.
