I had just returned from an evening's pleasant obligation, local time. It was an old friend calling from the U.S. and the first words said were "Are you watching?".
Since then, life got a bit more interesting (again). There was and is work to be done (again). No, I am not going to go into further detail. But *this* about sums it up.
To my brothers and sisters still out there training, doing, and enduring: Vaya con Dios
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A day that I will never forget. My husband had just left for work. I was drinking my second cup of coffee before beginning my work, and catching the news on TV when my husband walked in the door about 10 minutes after leaving. Surprised. He said "shhh" and we both watched, horrified. Feelings? Impossible to pin down as they ran the gamut from disbelief, to pain, to anger, to fear and all the shadings in between. We were thousands of miles away from our daughters. A phone call after hours glued to the television: Mom, Dad, we're finally home. They shut down the university because of a bomb threat... words spoken through tears. On our side, relief mingled with helplessness. Later we found out that a friend's brother-in-law went to work at the WTC and never came home. Another friend had to work at a different site, and did come home. Another friend's daughter changed her plans and did not board one of the planes... on and on it goes. Who wasn't touched, who wasn't affected? Let us never forget what happened and what remains to be done. God bless all those who are no longer with us because of hatred for what we symbolize.
LDG
Yes, that does sum it up. Every time I play/hear that song, the tears flow.
GOD BLESS ALL
My daughter just played the same song. Touching.
Written soon after the events, and posted to LJ on the one year anniversary.
http://ruggels.livejournal.com/23579.html#cutid1
Scott
I remember that day well also-
I was sitting in a dentist chair and my dentist was late! He came running in screaming about what had just happened-This was not the day for dental work.
This was the beginning of a most horrible day as we watched the television all day at the hospital where I worked at the time-
I did watch Glenn Beck today and I think this idea of the freedom flag to be introduced into the schools to teach the children about Sept. 11th is a great idea!
freedomflagfoundation.org
My experience was very different. I was in Europe, visiting the ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii. The first hint of something going awry was, on the busride back to Rome from Pompeii, the driver was listening to Italian news radio. We could hear President Bush in the background, but couldn't make out what was being said, as the Italian commentators were much louder and speaking rather excitedly.
It was only the next morning that we were made to understand the events and their magnitude. SkyNews out of the UK kept playing the video over and over and over.
Our travel group, four people known to both Karl and LDG (myself, Bruce H., Ray & Nicky), had made plans earlier to be out shopping that day in Rome, as it was our last day there before Florence, and thence on a walking tour of Tuscany.
Instead of shopping, I went to the Spanish Steps, where both locals and tourists congregate. I remember I was pretty numb and sort of hiding in myself because I didn't want to deal with the jumble of emotions I felt.
I walked about for a bit, and a young couple asked me if I'd take their picture. They explained, in English, they were newlyweds from Poland, and very excited to be in Italy. As detached as I felt, I remember being amazed that I could be happy for them on the outside when all I felt inside was turmoil. I managed to take a couple of pictures of them with their camera, and as I was handing it back, the man asked me if I was American. I replied I was. He shook my hand vigorously and said he was very sorry for what "those bastards did to your country". The new wife embraced me -- a warm, comforting gesture I found deeply touching -- moreso because it seemed so out of character for Europeans. They stayed and talked but had to rush off to catch their tour. But they were genuinely sympathetic.
After that exchange, I found a place to sit on the Steps, to think about what had just happened, and to try and deal with some of what I felt. I was sitting for maybe a half hour when a young man who couldn't have been more than 20 approached me and asked me in clipped English if I was an American. I replied that I was, and his entire demeanor changed. He'd been formal, polite, and a little stand-offish -- what I'd expect from someone greeting a stranger. But in the moment that I answered, he reached out and put his hand on my shoulder, and gave me his sympathy. Again, I was struck by the genuine sincerity of his sympathy. It was as though he perceived me as being personally wounded and wasn't going to turn his back.
He introduced me to his friends, both men and women, all 18 & 19 year old German students. They'd traveled by bus for 37 hours to reach Rome, had been to a few places and were taking a break to get some air. We talked for hours, and at one point were joined by Bruce H., who'd come and found me on the Steps.
During our conversation, a print reporter for one of the Italian dailies came by asking if any of us were Americans. We said we were, and she handed us a letter from the office of the Mayor of Rome and asked us for our comment. Now, I don't recall exactly what I said, but it still amazes me what was in that letter. The letter, in perfect English, had been faxed and/or emailed to every hostel & hotel in the city limits. It stated the sincere sympathy from the people of the City of Rome to all Americans staying in the city. It went on to say that the office of the Mayor was working with all the hotels to make sure stranded travelers had somewhere to stay. The letter listed all the phone numbers and contact information for the Embassy, ALL the airlines, the tourist bureau, the rail lines, etc.
I remember thinking then, and now, that were a disaster, even of the same such magnitude hit a couple of European cities, would any American politician or leader be moved to do the same thing?
As I stated before, we were to be in Italy for another nine or so days, most of which was taken up by a walking tour through Tuscany. Everywhere we went, people would ask if we were Americans. Once we stated we were, the social reserve vanished and strangers became as helpful friends. Small towns we toured through had signs posted in their town centers stating that they stood with their American cousins in (our) hour of need.
I was very moved by the outpouring of sympathy and concern.
By the time our trip was over, flights had resumed. Our flights to Italy (San Francisco - Frankfurt - Rome) had been packed full of generally upbeat people. Our flight from Florence to Frankfurt was mostly European business people, and internal to Europe. At Frankfurt, however, we went to the International terminal, where there were pairs of national police officers with submachineguns every 50 yards or so. Also, when we got to our airline, our identification documents were checked three times between the concourse and the jetway. There were armed private security people in the gate waiting area. The flight crew on the plane were a somber, watchful crowd, and the plane was only about a third full. Customs in San Francisco was slow, because they were checking everything on everyone.
I really felt the difference when I got home. And I continue to feel it every day.
Bill just reminded me (by his comment) that I meant to post this along with this thread.
Alistair Cooke called it the "one small note in this whole monstrous story that can be called heartening".
...and they are still, to the best of their ability, in the fight to this day, bless them all.
Bill, regular people are basically good, regardless of nationality, color, creed. You reminded me of friends calling to tell us how sorry they were that this had happened to us. That day just seemed to go on, and on and the TV wasn't turned off until well into the night. It was a strange feeling my husband and I had- we were there in person, but not really. Stunned? Perhaps
We were living in South America at the time and had been scheduled to fly to the States on the 16th. Obviously we didn't, not until the 26th. People thought we were nuts, but we HAD to go, we had to be with family. Security was very tight, quite similar to what you described, but the strangest thing was to walk into Immigration at Miami Airport and be among a handful of travelers there!!! We were the only two in the "U.S. citizens" line. When we went through, the immigration officer said "Welcome Home" and that's the moment a kind of peace came over both my husband and myself. Yes, we were home, for good or bad. Damn, it still gets to me when I remember.
I live on the left coast, so I heard about it after the buildings had collapsed. I remember going to work that day, but I don't think I accomplished anything, and I think no one else did either.
Aside from the obvious images from the television, I have two strong memories of 9/11: receiving stock options from my then-employer SGI (even then going down the drain) which gave me my only laugh for the day, and thinking that I had just watched Wag the Dog that weekend. That was an irony I wish I hadn't experienced.
I think the best way to describe Sept/11 is a sense of just becoming numb- like the novacaine shot I did not get that day when I was waiting for Dr. Thompson to give to me so he could put a crown in my mouth.
But what makes this so much more memorable is when those who take the energy and effort to commemorate this much horrible day as- freedom flag, which is posted here, and the man, James Laychak, who has made the Pentagon horror, Flight 77, now a Pentagon Memorial-a " place for reflection, remembrance and renewal."
www.pentagonmemorial.org.
I sent a donation-
xxx
I have to post this in the entirety.
September 09- 2008
In two days, after seven years, our dream of creating a fitting memorial to the 184 lives lost at the Pentagon will finally come to fruition with the dedication and opening of the Pentagon Memorial.
The Pentagon Memorial is the design of the gifted team of Keith Kaseman and Julie Beckman. The thought and love they have put into every detail of the memorial has never ceased to amaze us all. When they entered the design competition, they said they wanted to create a place like no other, because 9/11 was a day like no other. They have certainly achieved that goal. I truly believe that the Pentagon Memorial they conceived will become the next great memorial in Washington, DC. When you walk among the trees and the benches inscribed with the names of those who died, the Pentagon Memorial will be a place for remembering our loved ones, reflecting about what was special about each and every one of them and renewing our sense of hope for the future. This experience is what I hope will become the essence of the Pentagon Memorial.
We celebrate and cherish this great accomplishment with the families of the victims of that terrible day and the many sponsors who helped us create the beautiful and moving tribute to our loved ones. On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Pentagon Memorial Fund, I want to thank the generous donors that made the memorial possible-----the individuals, the foundations, the corporations and those in the international community who provided significant support to help us create the Pentagon Memorial. Without them, we would not be able to stand at the site on September 11, 2008 and dedicate the Pentagon Memorial. I also want to thank the entire Pentagon Memorial Fund team who has worked tirelessly over these past few years to help us achieve our dream.
A friend sent me an email a few weeks ago and shared with me why he thought places like the Pentagon Memorial are so important. He said places like the Pentagon Memorial allow people to have a private, personal experience. As you walk among the benches with the flowing pools of water and the trees, visitors have a chance to connect with a place in their hearts they haven't felt in a while. He said, "I believe that there is a connection between Heaven and Earth and finding that connection makes everything meaningful, including death, while missing that connection makes everything meaningless, including life." My hope is all of you will be able to make that connection when you visit the Pentagon Memorial.
Again, my heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped us realize the vision of the Pentagon Memorial.
With great respect and appreciation,
James J. Laychak, President
Pentagon Memorial Fund, Inc.
Brother of Dave Laychak
This is what made me send my donation:
"I believe that there is a connection between Heaven and Earth and finding that connection makes everything meaningful, including death, while missing that connection makes everything meaningless, including life."
How beautiful is this! And sometimes, we have to disguise our reality with this thinking.
May all of them rest in peace!
Dave Laychak was one of those killed at the Pentagon. BTW.
As James describes his memorial, is big brother watching over the younger brother.
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