A friend of mine posted this status on his Facebook page:

“We have these memorials and constant repeats of documentaries so that no one will forget what happened on 9/11. I can appreciate that, but I don’t need that stuff to remember. I know what happened and I won’t forget.”

Very true. Those who lived through it; those who lost friends, coworkers, and loved ones; and those of us who stood helplessly and watched don’t need the reminders. We’re lucky if we aren’t reminded of it in our dreams.

As for me, I will never forget the brilliant blue of that cloudless Tuesday morning sky, and wondering how a plane could have NOT seen the building—until the second one hit. I remember the deserted roads—even here in Dallas—as I drove to work, because I didn’t know what else to do. I also remember how, for months, I cringed and ducked every time I heard an airplane flying low overhead. I could never even bring myself to watch any movies about United Flight 93 until now.

But on the other hand, my son was only 7 in September 2001 and he didn’t really comprehend all of it at the time. Now, he’s 17, and I want him to know not only what happened, but also to know what real Americans and real heroes are all about. If we are truly dedicated to “never forget,” every generation needs the chance to know.