Today is a national day of service and reflection. This year, I thought about the effect of the events of 9/11 on the younger members of my family. To them, September 11, 2001 is a date  in their history books. It is an important event, and a horrible tragedy, but it is something that happened a long time ago to people on the other side of the country.  My oldest son was four years old, my second son was one, and my youngest two children were not even born. They have never traveled without the spectre of 9/11 and my oldest children have, but don’t remember it. I know that our losses will never be as devastating as those of the loved ones lost, injured and sickened, but the thought that my kids know nothing about friends and loved ones watching planes take off and waving from the windows of the airport (or of goodbye hugs at the boarding gate) saddens me.