Friday, September 11, 2009

In Remembrance of September 11th, 2001

Today is the 8th Anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Towers, the Pentagon, and the flight that went down near Shanksville, PA. Americans lost their lives that day, those in the Towers, those in the Pentagon, and those on that flight headed for more destruction, a mission thwarted by the bravery of some on board that United Airlines flight. Those brave souls took matters into their own hands, determined to not allow their plane to be used as a weapon in a nefarious plot.

All too often, we forget those on UA Flight 93. Rocky Blier, former NFL great, wants to make sure none of us forgets them in this moving video about those lost in Shanksville, PA:



And let us remember those in the World Trade Towers in New York City, the first to be hit that day. For all who were lost, and for all who those who were lost in an effort to save them:



We cannot forget those lost at the Pentagon, in service to our country, and on the plane:



I don't think any of us will forget where we were that fateful day. We cannot forget those who lost their lives, nor the ones whose health has been affected in their rescue and recovery attempts*. And we cannot forget those who have died in the two wars waged after this attack, whether we agree with one of them, both of them, or neither of them. Our military personnel, their families, and their friends, have all sacrificed a great deal, too many the ultimate sacrifice, a price being paid still. So, too, have many of the people of Afghanistan and Iraq, innocents lost in our wars. No matter which side you are on, for this day, may we all remember who we have lost, what we have lost, and that life is a fleeting treasure...

I leave you with this beautiful song by Kitty Donohoe, written 8 years ago today, and sung at the unveiling of the Pentagon Memorial last year:




* You may recall that Senator Clinton was instrumental in obtaining funds to help treat NYC firefighters after 9/11. That is one of the reasons why they endorsed her. Two years ago, 79% of firefighters still had health problems as a result of that day.

4 comments:

Mary Ellen said...

They're showing all the footage on the news as it appeared on 9/11 (I think it's on CNN or MSNBC). I had to turn it off, seeing it once in real life was enough for me. I won't forget what happened, I continue to pray for those who lost their lives and their families...but I just can't re-live it. That's too much.

Thanks for the post and the videos. I'm so glad that we continue to honor those who lost their lives. It's a shame that Bush added to that number by sending out troops to die in a country that had nothing to do with this horrible act. The death toll in Iraq continues to climb...and for what? Oil and power.

Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy said...

Hey, ME -
Hey, ME -

I completely understand abt not wanting to re-live the pain of that day, and it was horrific. I was visiting family in Silver Spring, MD that day, one of whom worked for DOE, but didn't go into work that day (she had cancer and wasn't feeling well). We could not believe our eyes when all of this was unfolding - still can't.

My partner's parents were living near the Pentagon then, and felt the ground shake. Her dad, a retired 3 star, had worked in the Pentagon, pretty much where it was hit that day...

You are absolutely right abt Iraq. So many lives lost there - so many innocent Iraqis lost there, to, in addition to our people. For oil and power.

I couldn't help but think this morning, as Obama was speaking at the Pentagon, abt his deep bow to the king of Saudi Arabia this summer, the country from which many of those terrorists came that day 8 yrs ago...(Oh, and I did listen to his speech. It was okay, though it seemed like a bunch of platitudes strung together for the most part. And it was repetitive. Other than that, at least it was short...)

Ms. Becky said...

thanks RRRA for the moving tribute and remembrance. I began watching, and then had to stop; I cannot watch without crying. I will continue to remember all those who lost loved ones on that day, and since, and hope that they have found peace.

Rabble Rouser Reverend Amy said...

Thanks, Miss Becky. Believe you me, I know what you mean. I was literally sobbing when I was looking at them last night...

The song by Kitty Donohoe is beautiful, if you can watch that one.

Like you and ME, I pray for those who were lost, for their families, and for our nation, too...