Have you Forgotten?

Authors Note: 17 years ago, on Tuesday, September 11th, 2001, 19 Muslim Terrorists hijacked American Aircrafts and murdered over 3000 innocent Americans. REST IN PEACE.

This story is dedicated not only to those who died, but also to those left behind, because they bear the heaviest burden.

As an additional dedication, I am dedicating this story to the men and women of this Nations Military, because it's because of them that we are Free. To them, thank you.

I don't own anything.

"Justice will be served And the battle will rage This big dog will fight When you rattle his cage And you'll be sorry that you messed with the U S of A, 'Cause we'll put a boot in your ass, It's the American way"-Toby Keith, Courtesy of the Red, White, And Blue(The Angry American), 2001

September 11th, 2011, New York City, Ground Zero, 7:00P.M.

The two men stood side by side in front of Ground Zero, where the Twin Towers had once stood proudly in the New York skyline, lost in their own thoughts.

The first man was Hispanic, stood at 6'3", had a shaved head and was covered in tattoos from head to toe. His name was Happy Lowman.

The second man had once been lily white, but years on the road had burned his tattooed arms and skin to a red sheen. He stood at 6'5" with long, dirty blonde hair. His name was Rane Quinn.

Both men had several things in common. For one, they, a lifetime ago, had been proud members of the United States Military. While Happy had been an Army Ranger, Quinn had been apart of the Navy SEALS, the same elite group of men who had killed Osama Bin Laden, and carried out hundreds, if not thousands, of missions to protect their country from all enemies, foreign and domestic.

Another thing they had in common was the leather cuts they wore on their backs like a badge of honor. They were both members of another brotherhood and had been for over 20 years. The Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club, an organization that was over 40 years old and had been founded by 9 Men, 6 of whom had served in the Vietnam War.

Every year since 2001, the club did a 9/11 tribute run to New York City, to pay it's respects. The New York chapter prepared room & board for all the Sons from the other charters without fail.

The Nomad President spoke, "Ten years and it still feels like it happened yesterday."

"It's the same for me, Quinn." replied Happy, thinking of his little sister that he'd lost on that fateful day.

Silence came between the two men as they reflected where they were that day. Happy finally asked, "Have you ever forgotten?"

"No. And I never will."

September 11th, 2001, 8:00P.M., New York City

All the eyes in the clubhouse were glued on the TV screen, watching the ongoing stories of the attacks. Quinn couldn't say anything as he sipped his beer at the bar and watched the heartbreaking footage.

It was times like this that Rane wished that he had never left the Navy. That way, he could take part in the manhunt for the men who dared attack his country.

Tommy Moran walked up to him and said, "I talked with Spider. We're going to Ground Zero tomorrow to help with the cleanup crews."

Quinn nodded briefly before asking, "How are we springing Hap and Akim from the slammer?"

"Coyote's going to pick them up in the morning, and get them downtown." was the Nomad Vice President's solemn response.

"Good. How about Coyote's Old Lady?"

"Cricket is with Spider's daughter and Old Lady. They're safe." Tommy said before taking a breath and saying, "Hap's sister and Akim's Old Lady ain't answering their phones. What do we tell them?"

"Don't give up hope until we've found a body," growled the older man, barely containing his anger. He needed to hit something. Needed to shoot something. Anything to take his mind off the tragedy.

Tommy took a deep breath and asked, "What's gonna happen, Rane?"

"I think," began the Nomad President as he turned to face Tommy, "That when the Shithammer falls, whoever is behind this is going to be the damn nail."

"Damn right," was all Tommy said before going behind the bar to get a beer. As he got it out of the fridge, he was almost startled at the sound of glass breaking. He looked over to Quinn, who had just broken his bottle with his bare hand.

A single tear wept from Rane Quinn's eyes. There was an old saying, that people should forgive and forget. But Quinn would never forgive the men who did this. And he would never forget.

September 11th, 2011

"Good."

Happy placed the photo of his little sister carefully on the fence that everyone was placing tributes and gifts of bereavement on for those who lost their lives all those years ago.

"Where you going?"

"Going to the clubhouse for the memoriam dinner. See you later."

"Safe ride, killer." Quinn said as he watched Happy mount his Dyna and ride off down the street.

Turning back towards Ground Zero, Quinn was taken by surprise to see a young woman standing in front of the fence, holding the picture that Happy had just put on the fence.

"What are you doing?"

"I've always loved this picture. I'm glad he didn't forget."

As she put the picture back, she continued, "Thanks for looking out for my brother, Quinn. Tell him that I never left him. Even when he doesn't see me, I'll always be there with him, and I'll always love him."

Before Quinn could respond, his phone rang. Turning away for a moment, Quinn spoke for a moment with Tommy.

Looking back to Ground Zero, the woman was gone.

Later on that night

Quinn saw Happy drinking at the bar and walked over to him. Taking a beer out, he said, "Hap, there's something I need to tell you."

This surprised Happy, who asked, "What's up?"

The older man took a breath and said, "After you left Ground Zero, a woman was standing in front of me."

"You get a name?"

"No. She disappeared before I got one. But I saw her looking at the picture of your sister," began Quinn. He paused for a moment before he finally said, "She liked it. And she told me to tell her brother something."

"How the hell would you know him? And what did she want you to say to him?" asked Happy, surprised that anyone would examine his tribute, and confused as to why Quinn was skipping around the issue.

"That she never left him. That she will always love him, and will always be there, even when he can't see her."

At that moment, Quinn put a hand on Happy's shoulder. With tears in his eyes, he finished, "She's also really glad that you remembered her today, Hap."

I was only 8 years old when 9/11 happened, and though I didn't understand at the time, when I was old enough to, I was heartbroken.

So, Have You Forgotten?