Don't let terrorists win

As the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches, I'm reminded of the effects of this day. Whether you were impacted directly or indirectly, we shed tears and we feel sadness, anger and hatred. For many of us, this was our first experience of a home attack. Until then, we felt invincible. Nobody could touch us and with our military protecting us, we lived our days freely and without worry.

Sept. 11, 2001, changed all that. With a double strike into the twin towers, those superhero feelings vanished into the rubble of the fallen towers.

Every time one of us thinks of the attacks and feels a need for revenge, the terrorists win. Every time someone sits at home and refuses to live Sept. 11 to the fullest, the terrorists win. Every time we prevent any sense of a happy feeling due to guilt or feeling inappropriate on this day, the terrorists win.

Don't let them win. Don't let them take this day from us. Let's celebrate the life we still have. Celebrate our country and our men and women of the military who protect our freedom. Honor those lost by remembering the joy they brought to your life.

Take back Sept. 11.

Christine Lenhardt

Cedar Rapids