My blogging continues to be a little behind but I want to take a moment and reflect on September 11, 2001.
I recall the day so well in my mind and the events that happened shortly thereafter. That day started out just like all the other week days. I got up and headed off to Woodlawn Elementary where I was a para-educator for a visually impaired kindergarten student. I had playground duty that morning and I recall thinking that I was lucky because it was a BEAUTIFUL morning in Indiana. We headed outside and the wind had that crisp, clean fall bite. The sky was beyond blue and the grass had a heavy dew on. The kids were burning energy, completely unaware of the events that were taking place that would change their lives forever. A young teacher came to the playground and told me that the principal wanted me inside. "What did I do" was the thought that crossed my mind. I headed inside and walked in the office to see Gloria standing in front of the tv. A plane just hit the world trade center she said. The news cut back to Katie Couric and I remember her saying to her producers "is this an instant replay we are watching"? Then I recall the horror on her face as she realized that no it wasn't and indeed a second plane had struck the second tower. I think it was at that point that we all realized that this was not a horrific accident but something much bigger. It was an act of terrorism on our homeland. How did this happen? Not here. Not in America, land of the free home of the brave. But it did happen and it's mark was made that day, like an irreversible tattoo, it scared us all in some way, shape or form.
We watched as the news broke about the other two aircraft's. One that hit the pentagon and one headed to the White House but was diverted and thanks to the heroism of it's passengers, it crashed into an empty field in Pennsylvania. Later we would learn that one of the hero's on that plane was named Todd Beamer. Mr. Beamer orchestrated the take over of the hijackers and gave the command "Let's Roll" when it was time to put the plan in action. All the passengers and the hijackers perished that day but because of the passengers unselfishness they saved the lives of countless others. We watched as the twin towers that once had stood so tall and beautiful against that crisp fall sky came tumbling to the ground. We stood silent and still as firemen, with no regard for their own safety ran into those buildings, some time and time again until they ultimately lost their lives when the buildings fell. It was a day that I will never forget. I think a portrait of the word "HERO" was etched into my mind that day. The bible says in John 15:13 that "greater love hath no man than this, that he lays down his own life for a friend". Those firefighters laid down their lives for complete strangers. That is a hero by my standards. Made me look at all firefighters in a different light. They are someone's husband, someone's son, someone's brother, and possibly someone's daddy and yet they give 110% everytime they are called out. Truly amazing people who do God's work. Thank you FDNY and any and all firefighters in America today.
Let us not forget to be grateful for the blessings that we have simply because we live in America. Remembering that freedom isn't free. It's paid for daily by our troops who stand ready at a moments notice.
God Bless America
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