Everyone has a memory of that terrible day five years ago when the terrorist attacks rocked all of our lives. I remember the eerie silence that engulfed the city of Chicago that day and the scary stillness is something I'll never forget.

Our RacingOne offices at the time were located on the north side of downtown Chicago and minutes after the second plane hit the Twin Towers, several of the staff just stood frozen in the middle of the office not knowing whether to run, hide, call our loved ones, cry or do all of the above.

When the order came to ground all U.S. flights that day in the aftermath of the attacks, the skies over Chicago - and the world's busiest airport at O'Hare - were free of any airplanes for the first time in probably 50 years. The jetplane noise that is just part of your daily life was suddenyl gone and the usual traffic, trains and other city sounds were absent as well.

Several of us went out on the balcony outisde our offices and just stood in the deafening silence, which almost felt like a "Twilight Zone" episode.

It's a day none of us will ever forget nor should we. We should all remember those who lost their lives that horrific day and thank those who have made it possible for the rest of us to go on with our everyday lives.