In Remembrance

Most people can tell you where they were and what they were doing on September 11, 2001.  For the first time, our Nation was in shock and disbelief that we could be attacked on our own soil (mainland).  For me, the strange thing is I knew the week before it was going to happen.

After work that afternoon, I was resting on my bed listening to the news. They were discussing the start of renovations on the old Belks building in the downtown area of the city.  At that moment, I heard or thought the message; lots of people were going to die in a building.  I immediately sat up and said “Oh, my God!”  Since the newscaster was speaking about the old Belks building, I assumed it was that building.

I’ve had visions or heard messages many times before. When I mentioned this to my family, they always said, “Next time, let us know before it happens.” So I called up my daughter and my brother and told them what I “learned”.  They were skeptical and ignored my plea to avoid large buildings.

One week later, I was in my office at work when someone stuck their head in the door and said, “A plane just hit the World Trade Center in New York!”  I got up from my chair and went to the lobby where there was a television. Everyone gathered around, but you couldn't hear a sound other than the voice of the reporter on the television.  We were all in shock at the horror.  Some people, including me, began to cry.

09/11 reminds me that today we are not safe from harm and that there are people who still want to destroy America and devastate its people.  Today also reminds me of the heroics of the people of New York City, the New York Fire Departments and the New York Police Departments.  People all over this great country were willing to help New York City in any way possible.

It’s amazing how much Ground Zero has changed since 2001.  A time-lapse of Ground Zero is here.  It is a beautiful memorial to those who died that day.

One of my favorite quotes seems appropriate for today:  "Reflect upon your present blessings, of which every man has many; not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some."-- Charles Dickens

As a Country, we've moved beyond that day, but we will never forget.  It still angers and saddens me when I think of the senseless devastation and destruction by the terrorist  who claimed to be doing the will of God.   What I've learned is we can never under-estimate the power of evil and we can never under-estimate the hearts of the American people.

 

Freedom is not free.  God Bless America!

Please add comments and your own memories below.


Peace