Did Sept. 11 Change You?

As we approach the 10-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, cities nationwide are readying remembrance ceremonies and vigils to pay tribute to those who died and those who suffered losses.

Patch wants to hear from readers. That day changed the country and many people's lives—it altered reality for citizens, America's political system and the economy and in many ways shifted public policies for us as a nation.

How did it impact you?

Possible Ideas:

• Did you or anyone you know join the military afterward?
• Are you around 20 years old? What was your understanding of this event back when you were around 10?
• Is your son or daughter's birthday on Sept. 11, 2001? How have you talked about the date's symbolic meaning?
• If you are an elementary school teacher, how have you explained the day to your students?
• Do you know any firefighters who will do something special in honor of the anniversary?
• Did you move here from New York after the attack?
• How do you plan to explain it to your children if they are too young to remember it?
• What is the most important thing to remember from that day?
• What are your thoughts on the event a decade later, ?

The attacks hit close to home in the East Bay. lived in San Ramon with his wife. The 38-year-old was on United Flight 93, which crashed into a Pennsylvania field after Burnett and other passengers overtook hijackers that day.

His name is inscribed on a plaque in  at the corner of Bollinger Canyon Road and San Ramon Valley Boulevard. Burnett's widow, Deena Burnett Bailey, told Patch last fall that she never will forget where she was Sept. 11, watching the news while waiting for her husband to return from a business trip.

The events of that day changed her world forever.

A stands in Union City, serving as a permanent reminder of that fateful day.

Please tell us in the comments how it changed your world. Or send a video, photos or a note to zoneil.maharaj@patch.com.

We're eager to share your stories.