On September 11, 2001 I was in my first year of doctoral studies and did early morning training sessions to compete in Olympic Weightlifting. The first tower was hit while I was training. People thought it was an accident. I saw the second tower hit on TV as I was leaving the weight room to go to class and it became obvious we were under attack.

Having grown up in NY and having many friends who’d moved to work in NYC and some even nearby the World Trade Center the uncertainty of the moment and the prospect of potential loss rattled me. Thankfully everyone close to me was ok but it was a stark reminder that you can never take any day for granted.

Please remember all those who lost there lives that day and all those who went on to make the ultimate sacrifice in the following years of war.