Mention the date September 11 and images of crumbling towers, clouds of smoke, and shattered lives come to mind. Most of us remember where we were that day. I was at the State Department’s training institute in Arlington, Virginia listening to a lecture by a visiting University professor. I heard a huge crash, which I thought must be some sort of industrial or construction accident. I remember thinking it was odd because there wasn’t any major construction nearby. Minutes later our session was suspended by one of the training center staff. As I walked out of the lecture room, I paused next to a television set mounted in the hallway and saw footage of a plane hitting the World Trade Towers in New York. A friend came up beside me to say that the crash we had just heard was an airplane slamming into the Pentagon. And just that like, our world changed.

We were all sent home, but that posed an additional problem for me. My house is not too far from the Pentagon, and police officials had closed off all the roads, including one bridge that I had to cross to get to my house. Luckily, I was able to show two forms of identification with my home address and the police agreed after consultations with supervisors to let me through. While I waited for their authorization to proceed to my home, I stared in horror at the clouds of smoke billowing out of the Pentagon. Once at home, I joined neighbors as we watched TV and heard steadily worsening news. They were in tears, but I wasn’t yet sad – the sadness would come later. I was angry and horrified that anyone, anywhere would so willingly destroy so many innocent lives. My husband soon joined us. He had been at his office at the State Department. Finding the streets totally blocked and public transportation overloaded, he put on his gym clothes and jogged the five miles to our house.

In the years since that day, we have all paused every September 11 to remember those from so many nations whose lives were lost and to honor the many selfless, heroic acts that took place that day. This year, President Obama has asked that we all honor September 11 by giving back, engaging in community service or contributing to the improvement of the lives of those around us. It is a very tangible way to honor lives lost and dreams destroyed. I hope many will join and give back in whatever way best suits their situation. As a part of this effort, I joined visiting American NBA basketball “legends” painting homes for a less fortunate community. Embassy staff and families will meet to see what more we can do to assist to the various charities we support. Give honor by giving back.