A lot has changed in our country since the morning of September 11, 2001; the most noticeable being tightened security at American airports and borders, and a decade of military action in Afghanistan and Iraq. Through all of it, members of the LAPD family have been involved.

Undoubtedly, each of you vividly remembers the moment you heard about or saw the planes crashing into the Twin Towers and the subsequent attack on the Pentagon and the hijacking of Flight 93, which crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. It was something our nation had never experienced and something we hope to never see again. It caused panic and confusion and fear, and the loss of life was overwhelming – some 3,000 people in total, including 343 firefighters, 60 police officers and 8 private emergency medical technicians and paramedics. Many who survived experienced physical trauma, and all who were involved experienced mental and emotional trauma. But through all of it, we as a nation survived. We’ve come together in remembrance of those lost and we work diligently to ensure that history does not repeat itself.

This month’s edition of the Thin Blue Line features “Reflections on 9/11: LAPD officers look back on the day that changed America,” a story that shares the experiences of some of the LAPD men and women who answered the “help call” from our brothers and sisters on the East coast in the days and months following 9/11. The editors of the Thin Blue Line sincerely thank each of them for sharing their stories and for exemplifying the brave and kind spirit of the LAPD. As the 10th anniversary of the tragedy approaches, we know many of you will want to share your thoughts regarding that day and offer reflections regarding the America that has emerged in the aftermath. We invite you to share your thoughts below.