Remembering 9/11 in Rancho Santa Margarita

It's a simple question: How did 9/11 change you?

All of us were affected in some way. The terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 was a game-changer. President Bush asked us to return to normal, and many of us have done so—but to the 'new normal,' not the one we grew up with.

On the 10-year anniversary of this dark day, Patch is asking the question: What's your story? What stands out? The images of 9/11, or the heroic effort in the days that followed? Or David Letterman's monologue when New York City took its first real step toward the return to 'normal'?

As part of remembering those who died as victims and those who died as heroes, of celebrating the efforts of those who helped clean up, and those who held down the fort, Patch is asking Americans to step up and share their story in the comments below by answering the question: How did 9/11 change you?

Patch and its partners are also actively telling those stories. Each Patch city—more than 800—was asked to contribute to a gallery of images that helped answer the question in 200 words or less. Click on the photo to see the Rancho Santa Margarita contribution—the story of resident Tom Frost, whose daughter, Lisa Anne Frost, was aboard United Flight 175.

But that's not all we're doing:

• To view the gallery of contributions from Patch cities across America, click this Huffington Post link that goes live on Sunday, Sept. 11.
• If you would like to tell the country how you're taking postive action in your community, check out ActionAmerica.com.
• Patch will cover , a day of remembrance with the city's adopted 2nd Batallion 5th Marines regiment, which will show off some of its military hardware from Camp Pendleton. It begins at 10 a.m., and the ceremony begins at 11 a.m.

And here are some locally produced stories that will be added to the site throughout the day and night:

• Read 911 stories of 9/11 across Patch sites
• Read the Lisa Frost story, "Ten Birthdays"
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• Read "Remembering 9/11: New Year's Eve Service"
• Read "Remembering 9/11: The Never-ending Hurt"
• Read "Remembering 9/11: 'What Are We Going to Do?'"
• Read "Remembering 9/11: The Good Shepherd"
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• 

If you don't know the story of Lisa Frost and her family, check out the story that launched the Rancho Santa Margarita Patch site on Dec. 21, 2010: "Ten Birthdays."

Remember to keep checking Rancho Santa Margarita Patch for more stories on Remembering 9/11. You may never forget them.