But it is a war on so many fronts and one which everyone has to fight daily if we have any chance of winning.

Thousands of people lost their lives that day and now so many more have to live on with the devastating consequences.

As both towers collapsed, lives were ruined across the globe and we all watched in horror as everyone’s peace of mind was left in tatters.

At the time planes were grounded across America for five days – but they flew again.

Just in case time had healed some of the wounds, this summer’s terror plot reminded of us all how we have not yet beaten the enemy. He still lurks waiting to strike.

That’s exactly why this is a war on so many fronts. The queues waiting for flights in the days after it was revealed that terrorists had planned to blow up nine planes as they crossed the Atlantic proved that, while the bid to yet again cause loss of life on an “unimaginable scale” did spark fear, it didn’t crush spirits.

I’m not a great flyer – in fact I hate travelling by air. And flying back from New York after covering the September 11 attacks did nothing to allay my concerns.

The security was rigid with armed personnel at every turn in the airport, every passenger was scared, and the flight itself was morbidly sombre. I was very glad to be back on firm ground and returned to the safety of home back here in Shropshire. I felt an immediate pang that I never wanted to fly again. But I have – to destinations across the world – and while the nerves are every bit as frayed each time, the determination to see and experience different places and cultures is still as strong.

I fly back into Heathrow from America today on the fifth anniversary of that terrible day. Like anyone flying on this poignant date it is not without some trepidation and fear, but that won’t stop me.

It is said often, and so it should be: the terrorists will not win.

But this is not just about airline industry profits or even just simply flying in the face of fear and doing our bit for the war on terror. If we do allow these repeated attacks on our freedom to confine us to our own countries, then surely the very ignorance which has allowed such hatred to grow can only contaminate the world further.

We must travel as much as we possibly can, because the world should be a smaller place for everyone, where we can learn to appreciate the rich diversity that it holds, rather than see it as a reason to draw up battle lines. Then we can have some hope that one day we will learn to live together in peace.

That’s why I’m happy to fly today, September 11, 2006.

Because I want a better tomorrow.

By Tracey O’Sullivan