Where were you on the morning of September 11, 2001?

It seems that every generation has a defining moment that forever changes its worldview.

My parents still remember vividly where they were when President Kennedy was shot. For their parents, that fateful moment likely came with the news about Pearl Harbor.

For me, time stood still on September 11, 2001 when the phone rang and my husband told me that a plane had just hit the World Trade Center. It was a crisp fall morning, with bright blue skies. It was hard to imagine that such horror could unfold on such a glorious day.

Many heartfelt, eloquent words have been penned in the eight years since. But they’ll never adequately pay tribute to the thousands of innocent people, the firefighters, and the police who lost their lives.

Words are not enough. We must pay tribute with our actions.

So let us work toward a world that is free of bigotry and hate. Let’s show our loved ones that we love them—every day. And let’s honor those who defend and protect us with the respect they deserve.

To quote President John F. Kennedy, “One person can make a difference, and everyone must try.”

On this September 11, I’m resolving to at least try.