Never Forget.

We all remember where we were ten years ago today. At 8:46 in the morning, I was sitting in my fifth grade elementary school class. My teacher explained the situation to us, but our naive minds couldn't fully comprehend its significance at the time. But I can remember the pain and shock that overtook every adult influence in my life. As I began watching the footage and getting a grasp of the enormity of the attacks, the naive component of my mind started to move aside. This was real. This was happening. This was devastating for an entire nation, and I would grow up in the midst of an ongoing recovery effort for America.

Ten years later, we find ourselves in front of our television sets on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. And more importantly than being Patriots fans, being NFL fans, or being sports fans in general, we can all say that we are proud to be Americans. Today, we remember those who gave their lives on that fateful morning. We remember the families and friends those heroes left behind. We remember the brutal turmoil that our country was thrown into, and we rejoice in recognition of the fact that we have fought back. We have brought some of the responsible villains to justice. We have come together as a nation and refused to let adversity be our demise. We made sure that our fallen heroes did not fall in vain.

Those heroes are the ones who have reaffirmed our freedom as a nation. The casual sports fan -- and thus, most of the readers of this blog -- are excited for the start of the NFL season today. But we should all be able to recognize the bigger things. America suffered its greatest loss -- a loss that could have been catastrophic to an incredible degree -- and bounced back from it. Here we are. We are still standing, standing together, together as one. We are stronger and more unified. We were knocked down -- so what? Get back up and keep fighting. That's what Americans do. That's what America is. What's a loss in your fantasy football week or a loss for your hometown team really going to mean in the big picture? I'm a Pats fan. Someone else is a Jets fan. There are Giants fans, Saints fans, Packers fans, Eagles fans, and countless other fans. For at least a day, throw aside the animosity. We are all Americans, and we have made it through our troubles to this point. We all owe the same brave souls who carried us forward in the most difficult time our nation has encountered. Be thankful for America above all else. Enjoy your football, enjoy your beer and chicken wings, enjoy your friends' company. But try to realize that it's all possible because of the amazing heroes that have fallen before us. Remember them. Remember their courage. And remember that America never forgets.