I will never forget Sept. 11, 2001. I came home from work, and my wife said, “Something weird is on the TV.” There was a continuous loop of video showing a plane crashing into the World Trade Center. I immediately called my mom, and her first thought was that this might be the beginning of a war.

At the time, I lived in Uzbekistan, a northern neighbor of Afghanistan. The U.S. Department of State used Uzbekistanian land for air bases to conduct anti-terrorist missions. I spent the next several months helping the U.S. military and the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan fight Islamic terrorism in Afghanistan.

My wife and I are now living in America, and we are grateful for the opportunities the United States gives our family. I am grateful for everyone who has fought to destroy Islamic terrorism in Afghanistan.

I recently visited the Flight 93 National Memorial in Shanksville, and it is not only a tribute to the people who decided to give their lives to save thousands of others, but a memorial for everyone to understand what terrorism is. It doesn’t matter how far away a country is from America — terrorists can be at doorsteps at any time. Terrorists don’t care about your well- being, rights or freedom of expression. They are fanatics.

I was surprised at how many people were there to express their love to our lost heroes. That is why the United States of America is a great country: The American people stand for freedom throughout the world for all people.

Vincent Kartuna

Brookline

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