I arrived to the airport this morning at 5 am, before the food stations were even opened. Some friends ask me why I take these early flights, especially as I am not exactly a morning person. I happily chose this 6 am flight though, as I had the pleasure of attending an extravanganza evening, presented by Tourism Malaysia, held at the Hilton Hotel on the Avenue of the Americas in NY. The night consisted of welcome speeches from the Minister of Tourism and his colleagues in from Malaysia. Traditional dancers ended the evening wearing bright colors representing the many cultures that are Malaysia. I am now in Miami finishing this blog, reflecting on what a great evening it was, and how seamless my trip to and from the airport was today. But, it is impossible not to reflect on the events that occurred 6 years ago today. It is difficult for me to believe that the tragedies of 9/11 happened only 6 years ago and how the world continues to change. When the attacks happened, I was on the first flight out of Burlington, VT to come home to my family on Long Island, completely shocked and shaken like so many of us around the world. Last year on 9/11, three of us from GT took the first flights out from Newark, LAX and Philadelphia as we know how important it is for business large and small to keep operating. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the heroes of 9/11 that lost their lives that day, to their loved ones and the many out there today that continue to work to make sure we can keep flying. – Alexandra Young, associate publisher and vice president ** The entire staff at Global Traveler remembers and honors all those who were affected by the attacks of 9/11 – those who lost their lives in the attacks on the World Trade Centers and in the Pentagon, the heroes on United Flight 93, the rescue workers, the families who live with the losses of 9/11 every day and many more. And for those who continue to fight for our freedom, thank you. **