A 9-11 Ceremony

Our local fire department, like others across the country, had a small ceremony this morning to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9-11. A flag hung from the extended ladder, black cloth draped the windshield of a pumper, and turnout gear stood in front of it: empty coat, boots, bunker pants and helmet to signify the gear not to be worn again by those gone.
Some of the firefighters spoke; where they were, what they were doing – just as most of us are remembering the same things about that day. One woman told of fears that a cousin who worked in the towers was lost and the elation when he was finally able to call two days later to tell them he had gone out of the office for coffee – his co-workers perished. A fireman talked about how one plane made it’s turn over our county, how comment was made about the plane flying so low and slow, how unusual that was – not knowing how much more unusual that flight was going to become. A man now a state trooper told how the day created his job, because the State Police forces were increased. Several remembered going to an annual weekend fire school and how every person there jammed an auditorium on Friday night for a memorial service.
One just waved his hand, indicating he had no words to say, and a tear fell from his cheek.
There will be many more ceremonies, one is scheduled this evening at the county 9-11 memorial. There will be many more tears, as more memories are shared.
As we did ten years ago, our country and our people cry, and continue. It would be unfair to those who gave their lives to do otherwise.

September 11 - Ten Years later

I put on the t-shirt I got on the Comfort, the one that says “Terrorists may crumble buildings, but they can’t touch my patriotism. In memory of those who paid for freedom with the ultimate price. September 11, 2001. God Bless America still the land of the free and the home of the brave.”
I’ll go to the firehouse for an impromptu, short ceremony there, then later read a message, updated from when I first wrote it ten years ago for the truck company newsletter, before our matinee performance.
As everyone, I will have my moment to remember, what I was doing, what I thought and felt and did that day. I will make a moment for those lost, for those still being lost as a result of the attacks in 2001. I will take a moment to be thankful for our American life.
Here’s what I think: We should all do this, not just today, but every day.
My reading:
“Everyone in our country, and beyond, was affected by the tragic events in New York City, Washington DC and Pennsylvania ten years ago today.
I went to New York as a member of an Emergency Medical Services Task Force, went to the scene and saw the destruction that was left of the World Trade Center and saw the desolation on the faces of those going to dig in the rubble, some for their friends and co-workers, some just to help. I stood crying at the ‘wall of tears’, where the pictures and messages from people looking for their loved ones were beyond heartbreaking. I heard the thanks of countless people, strangers, in a city that before was known for its cold, self-centered personality – thanks just because we were there, had come to help and support them.
I can only say that if those who perpetrated and carried out this horrendous crime against humanity thought they were going to bring the United States of America and its people to their knees by these actions, well, they did.
They brought us to our knees to unite in prayer for the victims and their loved ones, and then to add a prayer for the strength and the wisdom and courage to do what must be done next. Then, we stood up with more patriotism and determination than ever and with the resolve that they would not win, that we would keep our life and our freedom and our country and our spirit.
And we did and we can continue to do so.
We can get down on our knees once again and say a prayer for the victims and their families and friends.
We can say “Thank you” and “God Bless You” and “God Be With You” when we see a fire truck or an ambulance or a police car go by, in memory of the brave men and women who ran towards, not away from, the carnage at the World Trade Center and who died doing their job.
We can say a prayer and a “Thank you” for those people who were on the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania, those people who may have averted another incident with even more deaths and destruction.
We can show our patriotism - wave a flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance and sing the Star Spangled Banner, not just today when the memory is being celebrated, but tomorrow and the day after and the week and the month and the year after tomorrow.
We can teach a child to respect our country and its government and its flag.
We can say “our knees, my butt – this is America”, and do everything in our power to keep our country moving and growing and going strong, as we did after this tragedy and as people have throughout every day of its existence.
Please join us in a moment of silence in remembrance.”