I cried this morning when the pipers brought the flag to Ground Zero. I cried when the children's choir sang the National Anthem. I cried when the pipers played Amazing Grace. I cried when the children started reading the names--and harder when I realized these were the children of those who died on 9/11. I had to leave the house for a walk so I could compose myself.
But, like you, I didn't cry on 9/11. I was in too much shock. It finally hit me that Friday. Unfortunately, I was driving, so I pulled over and just let myself sob.
Then anger took over, anger and resolve.
NEVER FORGET. NEVER AGAIN.
I had my (then) 3yo sitting on my lap while I was going through email. One of them was from a friend in Florida who had been in NYC the previous weekend. He had taken a picture of the night skyline of lower Manhattan from the Verrazano Bridge. He sent it to me with the words "A Moment of Silence, Please" superimposed across the top.
That is what set my tears flowing.