In the 11 years since the horrible tragedy that America simply calls 9/11, some things have changed.
Others haven't.
The mastermind of the attacks that killed more than 3,000 people in New York and Washington has been killed, finally, earlier this year.
U.S. military involvement in Iraq has all but disappeared, and we are told the end is in sight for our military involvement in Afghanistan.
What hasn't changed is our memory of that nightmarish day when a handful of zealots commandeered three jetliners and changed our perception of terrorism forever.
Tomorrow, we will once again pause in a field of American Flags to remember those who died on that day and those who died or were wounded attempting to make sure such an event never happens again. Warren County Memorial Park's annual Patriot Day ceremony honors not only those souls, but the bravery and dedication of those who carry on the work both here and abroad.
Patriot Day has become more than just a memorial to the victims of the 9/11 attacks, but a chance to honor all of those who often risk their own lives to keep us safe every day, from the military to volunteer fire and rescue personnel to emergency medical technicians to police.
It is altogether right and proper that we should do this, not to rattle swords or shake our fists at those who would do us harm, but to appeal to what makes us compassionate Americans who have never shied from the duty to look after one another in times of need or times of crisis.