On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was performing surgery on a patient when a nurse burst into the emergency room and informed us that a plane flew into one of the towers of the World Trade Center. The events of that morning obviously changed the lives of many people. But, as unlikely as this may seem, in far away and safe North Texas, my life abruptly changed that morning, too.

The impact of that day left me feeling utterly irrelevant in the world. I suspect the feeling was rooted in the fact that my work had nothing to do with protecting my country or my children’s future.

By chance, my friend and fellow surgeon had been in New York City on September 11th. He was sitting in a classroom with other surgeons taking a recertification board class when someone rushed in and said “there has been a serious accident, this class in canceled and we need everyone to meet downstairs.” Mayor Rudy Giuliani publicly asked anyone with medical experience to come to downtown and help. My friend said it was a sobering decision to get on the bus and head to downtown not knowing what to expect and if there were still additional terrorist attacks planned.

That day we witnessed many like my friend step up to the challenge. We watched as our first responders ran into crumbling buildings.

I am grateful for our first responders whose courage displayed true heroism. If it were not for those men and women our country would not be the greatest on earth. So as you reflect on this day, join me in showing a extra dose of gratitude to them.

We will never forget.