Changed by 9/11: Sanjiv Kumar, Syosset Resident

This upcoming 9/11 will be the 10-year anniversary. Although it may feel like it happened just yesterday, much has happened to our country as a result, and our residents.

Sanjiv Kumar, 43, a Syosset resident for 10 years, boarded a plane bound for Chicago on that morning of 9/11. His plane departed from JFK airport around 8 am. Little did he know that he would be one of the last people ever to see the Twin Towers.

Kumar landed in Chicago, and first got word of the attack from the driver of his rental car. Shortly after he reached his hotel, he said he learned of the severity of what happened.

“It's absolutely still significant," Kumar said of 9/11, 10 years later. "I think it has forced our country to do an even better job of securing our borders, airports and ports.”

Kumar said he travels a lot, and feels safer now as an American.

“Maybe [George W.] Bush didn’t do many things right, but one thing he did get right was securing our nation from terrorists," Kumar said.

How has 9/11 affected your life? Tell us in the comments or email us your story to Steven.Nicastro@patch.com