Like other Americans, I am sad. And shocked.

How has it been 25 years?

I suppose it doesn’t matter. Time marches on.

I thought about writing up some kind of “where were you that day” thing, followed by chatting up my first visit to Ground Zero three years ago. But the idea left me as quickly as it came. Because it doesn’t matter. This day isn’t about me. It’s about the victims. It’s about them.

I always for solace in music. No doubt there will be tribute songs all over the airwaves today. But I’m betting these two tunes will not be among them. Which is a shame, because they’re both beautiful. But the bands aren’t what one would call “chart-toppers.”

Living Colour released a tune called “Flying.” It surrounds the fictional story of a man eager to ask a young lady he works with for a date. As it happens, their office is in the World Trade Center. Just when the man works up the courage to talk to the woman, they see the airplane barreling toward them. It gets me every time.

Blue Man Group is most likely viewed as a novelty act. But some really good music has come from this group, including an incredibly touching piece called “Exhibit 13.” The video shows images of items found blown about after the collapse of both towers. It is chilling.

I mourn for the 3,000-plus victims. And while I didn’t know any of the victims personally, I will say I’m related to 72 of them who died that horrible day. Our connection is that of being police officers. I was lucky enough to be able to retire from my department. They were not. Ask any cop at a police funeral if he was related to the officer being buried, and you’ll often hear something online with, “No, I didn’t know him. But he was my brother.”

Of course my heart also goes out to the 343 firefighters who lost their lives, and the countless number of first responders who came to everyone’s rescue and have since died from exposure to the toxic air they breathed while doing what they could to help.

I, for one, will never forget.

#cirdecsongs