Too busy to remember, too tired to care? Published Sept. 15, 2008 By 2nd Lt. Brooke Brzozowske 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs FE WARREN AFB, WYO. -- This morning, like almost every other morning, my eyes open after bonking the snooze button at least of five times and finally I'll drag myself out of bed. In an hour or so, I'll climb my way up three flights of stairs, while panting reminding myself that the best is always at the top. I'll plant the same butt that just crawled out of bed into a hard chair and open up my inbox to begin extinguishing the fires of the day. My 'to do' list didn't get any shorter today. In fact, the list only grew longer, and it is now time to go home. Later that night as I close my eyes and pull up the covers, I'll take a quick moment to slow down and review my day. In today's on-the-go, 'crackberry' and iced venti vanilla latte society, we no longer take the time to appreciate the everyday liberties we celebrate as American citizens and those freedoms sacrificed by innocents gone before. Hands down, we live in the greatest country in the world, but have we become too busy to remember? Too tired to care? The attacks on September 11, 2001, struck a chord with the American populace. The events of that day brought upon the realization of national vulnerability. To this day, I still remember the way fear quickly spread its way down the spine and into the uncertainty of my community and my nation. I may be younger than most, but even then I was old enough to understand those attacks were not the first and more than likely wouldn't be the last. I have come to realize that America is a bit of a knee-jerk society. We hang our flags, sing our songs and call them 'freedom fries' for only so long before we move on with our busy days. Nowadays, life will not wait for you. It's a globalized society where we are constantly connected to all sorts of obligations. We are gymnasts of sorts, pulled in a million different directions each day while doing a balancing act on a beam of an increasing amount of priorities. Ultimately, we tend to compartmentalize, giving specific times for different areas of our lives - one time for work, one time for family, one time for faith, one time for friends, etc. Our call to our country's service should not be compartmentalized. Our dedication and sacrifices should be a part of every aspect of our lives, not just one section. The soil we have built our American legacy upon was toiled by the sweat, blood and tears of past patriots, those who served in the profession of arms and those who executed their constitutional rights as American citizens by way of their own choosing. Remembrance should no longer be a compartmentalized or separate time of the year. Their passing should not be remembered just once a year on 9/11, Memorial or Veteran's Day. Their sacrifices should be an ingrained purpose in our everyday service before self. Time has seemingly flown by since 9/11, and with each passing day, I am beginning to understand the importance of public service and patriotism. I now believe I am beginning to understand what it is to know, to love and to serve our country. I want my country to be better every day, and I want to see American citizens that are concerned with what they can do for their country, not what their country can do for them. I want American citizens to remember their legacy, their heritage and their freedom. We need to honor where we came from by remembering those who have gone before us. Today, tomorrow and the following days, in all that you do and in all that you represent...remember.