9-11 Remembered

(This post was originally in my Inspiration Blog, but wanted to reprint it here  today.  Our country has forever been impacted by the events of this day 11 years ago.)

Today marks the 11th anniversary of the day time stood still for America!  Words cannot express the sadness, fear, unbelief and shock that went through so many all over the country.  We were being attacked...there was no doubt when the plane hit the second tower and it was just totally swallowed up. 

My first reaction was for the people in those towers that were trapped above the impact.  What were they thinking when they "knew " that they would soon breath their last breath?  I know that some were able to call their loved ones and tell them how much they loved them...I'm sure some tried and couldn't get through because of so many making frantic calls that day.  Some saw no hope and jumped to their death (imagine how hopeless you feel when you have to choose between jumping or going through the fire)    I watched in amazement as firefighters and policemen and just regular citizens stepped up and without thought for their own lives did the right thing and tried to rescue as many as possible.

When the first building fell and papers were flying and dust so thick that I heard some say they had to peel it from their eyes...I came to the realization that this was one day in history that would unite our country.  There would be no Democrat or Republican...we would be united ready to defend our country against this act of terrorism.  We were losing not only the folks in the towers (men, women and children), we were losing those that came to rescue and protect.  What a tragedy!

Later we learned that the Pentagon had been hit with another plane as well as Flight 93 had crashed in a field because the passengers were so brave.  A group of ordinary yet extraordinary citizens said, "Let's Roll! and charged the cockpit.  The plane crashed but those heroes...those extraordinary citizens prevented the terrorist that meant harm for Washington DC...from carrying out that evil intent.

Another image that is forever engrained in my memory is of our President (George W. Bush) sitting in that schoolroom as it was whispered in his ear about what had just happened...that look on his face almost makes me cry...he had to be calm for those kids (our future) when inside you know he wanted to scream.  Later there is a determined President at ground zero with bullhorn in hand...here is what took place...

President Bush: "Thank you all. I want you all to know -- it [bullhorn] can't go any louder --  I want you all to know that America today, America today is on bended knee, in prayer for the people whose lives were lost here, for the workers who work here, for the families who mourn. The nation stands with the good people of New York City and New Jersey and Connecticut as we mourn the loss of thousands of our citizens"

Rescue Worker: "I can't hear you!"

President Bush: "I can hear you! I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people -- and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!"

Rescue Workers: [Chanting] "U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!"

President Bush: "The nation -- The nation sends its love and compassion --"

Rescue Worker: "God bless America!"

President Bush:" -- to everybody who is here. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for makin' the nation proud, and may God bless America."

Rescue Workers: [Chanting] "U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!"

I am so inspired .... I echo the Presidents words that day and say...  God Bless America!

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