Today marks the 25th anniversary of the day that we Americans all held our breath, distraught and bewildered by what was taking place in front of our very eyes. The day America was attacked on its own soil and completely blindsided. In a matter of mere hours, the attacks struck three separate sites: the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon outside Washington, and a field in Pennsylvania. The security of our country that we thought was inalienable now suddenly didn't  seem as invincible. What happened on 9/11 will always circulate in the minds of Americans who watched helplessly, jolted by fear and uneasiness about their mere existence.

I can personally attest to the severity of destruction and chaos that fellow Americans like me felt on this fall day in 2001. At the time, I was working in Lower Manhattan, very close to the World Trade Center. I still vividly recall my supervisor barging into my office that morning and shouting that a plane had struck one of the towers. Initially, those in the office including me assumed it could have been an inexperienced pilot or an unfortunate flight accident. Then, out of the corner of my eyes, I witnessed another jetliner hit right into the second tower.

At that moment, I understood this was no sort of accident; it was a black swan event. America was being attacked. No government officials saw this coming. Many watched from their televisions at home, speculating whether another attack would be upon them. Buildings went up in flames with smoke surrounding the city's sky. The atmosphere around me smelled of bodies burning and decomposing. The most devastating sight that stuck with me was seeing people trapped on the upper floors, jumping from the buildings out of desperation. Those images never leave my mind. 

In the midst of such horror, it's worth noting the tremendous courage that then Mayor Rudy Giuliani, firefighters, police officers, and other emergency workers all had at the time of this strike. These individuals provided reassurance and ultimately sacrificed their own lives for the safety of others in harm's way. We remember those who were lost. We remember those who survived. And we remember the extraordinary bravery shown by so many ordinary people on that unforgettable day.

September 11 reshaped America forever. The attacks underscored the serious vulnerabilities within our security and intelligence systems. In the aftermath whilst Americans grieved, the U.S.uncovered who our true adversaries and allies are. I remember reports of some people in parts of the world who celebrated the downfall of America. Whatever their reasons, such reactions were uncalled for and a reminder of the hatred and extremism that had contributed to the tragedy. 

The lives of Americans who died on 9/11 shouldn't be in vain: In the face of an unimaginable tragedy, their sacrifices brought unity and determination for fellow citizens and elected delegates to collectively take action against terrorist groups and repair the physical damages done. Without them, there would be no restructuring of America's system. There would be no Department of Homeland Security. There would be no thorough vetting process in place for incoming foreigners entering the U.S. Now, DHS is at the forefront to take down terrorists domestically or internationally and bring them to justice for their crimes and wrongdoings. 

Above all else, September 11 showed the world that when America and its people are harmed, there is no room for ambiguity. To quote President Bush, 'Either you are with us, or you are for ambiguity. To quote President Bush, "'Either you are with us, or you are against us"