A Moment of Silence

When remembering all of those who lost their lives due to the radical Islamic terrorist attack on that tragic day of 9/11/01, the best words shared are those spoken in prayer; especially for the loved ones who still grieve for them nine years later.

To the astonishment of recovery workers at Ground Zero, the Cross appeared miraculously from the wreckage on the site of the former World Trade Center.




Flanked by construction and recovery workers, police Chaplain Fr. Brian Jordan blesses the Cross.

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Please view the powerpoint video at Atlas Shrugs. It was created in February, 2002. We MUST NOT FORGET! WE WILL NOT FORGET!

Quote from President George W. Bush: "Freedom will be defended."

Bell Tolls for Victims of 9/11/01

There is something about a tolling bell at a memorial service that gets to me - every time. I was holding up O.K. this morning as I watched the Fox News coverage of Remembering 9/11/01. There was a moment of silence for the time that the two planes hit the World Trade Center in New York. There was a ceremony at the Pentagon, where Obama spoke and placed a wreath near the site where the third plane hit.

I did a few chores, which took me away from the TV set area. When I returned, I heard Megyn Kelly's interview with Bill Sammon - who briefly chronicled what had happened on that dreadful day and how President Bush reacted when he found out about the terrorist attack while sitting with a classroom filled with young children. Sammon mentioned that Bush thought about getting up abruptly and leaving, but in order to not cause panic and frighten the children, he waited until the teacher finished speaking.

I learned something new. According to Sammon, President Bush prayed as he got back on Air Force One, and he wept for those who died - and for our nation - which had been brutally attacked for the first time since Pearl Harbor.

It was interesting to hear some details about how many of the policies that President Bush put in place (which were constantly being criticized by the left) actually helped tremendously in preventing additional attacks over the following 7 1/2 years. Those who have been screaming about water boarding being "torture," should consider the torture that 2,974 people not only suffered from, but also DIED FROM on that dreadful day. No water boarded terrorist died. However, many additional pre-planned attacks were thwarted because of intense interrogation techniques.

The names of the heroes of Flight 93 were read at a memorial service held in Shanksville, PA. A bell tolled after the reading of each name. One woman, who started by stating, "my daughter..." and then read her name...got to me. I didn't catch the name of the daughter, because at that moment, the grief of that horrible day returned to me. My eyes welled up with tears and I sobbed.

The pain of that awful day runs deep; but I can't even imagine how deep the pain must still be for those who lost loved ones.

My two children were ages 17 and 14 when our nation was attacked by Islamic terrorists. In my post on 9/11/08, I wrote this in the comment section:

I was standing in the kitchen making breakfast for my two (then) high school aged children when I saw the first plane hit. I thought it may have been an accident - plane failure or pilot error. In the back of my mind, though, I wondered if it was done on purpose?

By the time my kids got to the table to eat, the second plane hit the towers. It was then that I knew it was terrorism.

The day only got worse...far worse.

Awful!!

We must NEVER FORGET!

September 12, 2008 9:20:00 AM PDT

WE MUST NEVER FORGET. In honor of all of those who lost their lives on that day, (including the heroic emergency responders who tried to get people out of the towers) and in respect for the families and friends who have to live with such loss for the rest of their lives - we must NEVER forget.

God bless all who mourn today - our entire nation, in fact. And may the families who grieve find comfort in Psalm 23 and the promises of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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Former 9/11 posts:

Tuesday, September 11, 2007: Remembering September 11, 2001

Monday, September 11, 2006: 9/11 Survivor: Sense of Urgency to Share Gospel

Monday, September 12, 2005: The Man Who Predicted 9/11

A Psalm for 9/11 and a Question

Psa 23:1 ¶ [[A Psalm of David.]] The LORD [is] my shepherd; I shall not want.


Psa 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.


Psa 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.


Psa 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.


Psa 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.


Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

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While listening to the Glen Beck radio program, he asked the question:

Are you a 9/10/2001-er, 9/11/2001-er, or 9/12/2001-er?

It was interesting to note what Glen articulated this morning. He mentioned that he can't even remember where he was, what he did, who he saw, or anything else that happened on 9/10/2001. However, he remembers exactly where he was, what he heard, when he heard it, what his reaction was, who he was with, what range of feelings went through his heart and mind, and how he felt on that fateful day of 9/11/2001.

I can too! Quite vividly, in fact.

I'm sure this is true for almost everyone.

Even though I can't remember such details about last Thursday, I can remember many, many details about that horrific day.

Glen went on to say that he can also remember how he felt and what he did on 9/12/2001.

Can you?

I still can!

It was a range of emotions that I will never forget. I can still picture the scene at the church when two friends and I attended a special service to pray, mourn, cry, repent, and begin to heal.

During his monologue, Glen pointed out that many in our government still live and act with the same mentality that they had before the terrorist attacks on that fateful day. That was probably the most judgmental opinion he shared.

He isn't the only one to do so.

If anyone watched C-Span this morning, the callers were quite varied on their opinions about (and for many - absolute contempt for) our government, too.

As usual, American opinions run the gamut - even seven years later.

I want to encourage people to speak their minds on this topic. I know that can be dangerous, because harsh opinions and comments are bound to be shared. Please try to keep your comments civil.

Glen was much more general and less judgmental when he stated something similar to the fact that 'others live their lives in the tragedy of that day - whatever that means to each individual.'

Still others, he stated, 'live in the 9/12/2001 mentality' - which, again, can mean different things to different people.

How do you live?

Where (emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually speaking) do you live today?

Are you a 9/10/2001-er, 9/11/2001-er, or 9/12/2001-er?

What does that mean to you, personally?

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Former related posts with additional links:

Remembering September 11, 2001

9/11 Survivor Sense of Urgency to Share Gospel