Remembering the attacks on September 11 2001 will mean different things to each of us.
I've been reading a few blog remembrance articles already, and obviously 10 years has not dimmed the shock, heartbreak, and sense of loss we all feel. The initial outrage may have mellowed and been replaced somewhat with a sense of futility of it all; why and how it happened and where it took us from there - Iraq and Afghanistan.
In September 2001 our son, who was serving in the British Army was home on leave here in New Zealand. Turning on the bedside radio in the morning was the first we knew of the twin tower attacks. A hurried jump out of bed to switch the TV on and the full horror was revealed as our TV stations ran wall to wall coverage of the previous days events in USA.
We were glued to our seats watching, but as I looked across at my son a chill went through me as I knew he would somehow become involved.
Our son later saw action in Iraq: his experiences are for him to tell when he's ready.
As parents we can empathise with all those who have sons and daughters who placed their lives at risk, or made the ultimate sacrifice. It's a terrible situation for all parents to face.
At the time of the attacks our daughter was travelling in Egypt. Our concern was also about her as all flights were grounded for a day or so, and who knew at that time just what repercussions could be triggered in Islamic countries towards Westerners. She eventually made a flight out 2 days later. All of us at that time would have an immediate concern for their loved ones, just as we did.
Mark Knophler says a lot when he wrote this song dedicated to those who lost their lives in those towers. A duo with Emmylou Harris. I think the guitaring is superb, suitably poignant.
Trapped in one of those burning buildings, what would you have said to your loved ones in those last minutes on your cell phone?
.
So we can all hold hands together around this world, across the vastness of the internet that at times like this can bring so many people so close, join in Remembrance this week by placing a link in the Mr Linky tool below. Thanks.
I've been reading a few blog remembrance articles already, and obviously 10 years has not dimmed the shock, heartbreak, and sense of loss we all feel. The initial outrage may have mellowed and been replaced somewhat with a sense of futility of it all; why and how it happened and where it took us from there - Iraq and Afghanistan.We were glued to our seats watching, but as I looked across at my son a chill went through me as I knew he would somehow become involved.
Our son later saw action in Iraq: his experiences are for him to tell when he's ready.
As parents we can empathise with all those who have sons and daughters who placed their lives at risk, or made the ultimate sacrifice. It's a terrible situation for all parents to face.
At the time of the attacks our daughter was travelling in Egypt. Our concern was also about her as all flights were grounded for a day or so, and who knew at that time just what repercussions could be triggered in Islamic countries towards Westerners. She eventually made a flight out 2 days later. All of us at that time would have an immediate concern for their loved ones, just as we did.
Mark Knophler says a lot when he wrote this song dedicated to those who lost their lives in those towers. A duo with Emmylou Harris. I think the guitaring is superb, suitably poignant.
Trapped in one of those burning buildings, what would you have said to your loved ones in those last minutes on your cell phone?
.
So we can all hold hands together around this world, across the vastness of the internet that at times like this can bring so many people so close, join in Remembrance this week by placing a link in the Mr Linky tool below. Thanks.
35 comments:
Jim sorry you're son had to go to Iraq, a innocent country in the 911 attack by Saudia Arabians who have never paid for their part in 911 . They were given passage out of usa. Illegal unjust war has been waged on two other countries and thousands of innocent people in the name of 911
Torture and murder has been the aftermath of that tragedy.
I always think of World War II and how people fought for a reason.
The rest of the wars have been political theater for profit it seems. Wrong enemies attacked while kissing the ones who produced and supported the attackers.
Controversial subject, yes
The administration at the time did nothing to stop it and only used photo ops and fear afterwards to engage in a waste of a lot of money and lives on both sides of the ocean.
Someday maybe the truth will come out
I linked myself to this, i feel that no matter where you are, 9/11 affecetd everyone, not just the US we all over came and we all should be united together
Perfect choice of themes for this week's Magnificent Monday. Thanks for sharing your personal remembrance with all of us. I enjoyed the song very much, too. Beautiful tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11.
I listened to the video you've shared and the music/lyrics broke my heart... this is what loving and remembering is all about.
I share America's sentiments this day and I light a candle for all of you.
Thanks for this MM.
Hi Eileen, I suppose in the end all wars are pointless a the passage of time removes our old enemies from the stage, old ideologies change, new information is transferred to a broader population base etc.
Maybe the internet may allow truth to be spread without governments being able to control what the masses read.
Thanks Deanna, a time for holding hands around the world.
Hi Cathy, It's a tough day for all those who lost loved ones during the attacks.
I think the song is especially lovely especially when you know why it was written.
"this is what loving and remembering is all about."
Melissa, you say such heartfelt words! So true.
Any post with Emmylou and Mark gets a thumbs up from me. Glad to hear your family got through the last ten years physically unscathed.
Thanks Ted. Yes, they make good music together. I'm a fan of both.
Jim - the incident shook all of us everywhere. But we as humans have this insane capability of leaving the past behind, gathering all our courage and moving on with our heads held high. No matter if our daughters and sons were taken away, our mothers and fathers were left paralyzed for the rest of their lives we have the guts to move on and brave life. Sometime, however, I wish we didn't but I must give it to the US of A. The way they tided over it is remarkable! So glad your son and daughters are safe. Loved your post.
That your family was touched so personally by the attacks is unfortunate and sad! If I understood your post he is home now and for that we all can be thankful.
It was a horrible time here in the US and I wondered how it effected other people in other lands. Thank you for selecting this as a Monday topic!!!
9/11 affects all of us, whether we knew someone who died, or not. Never forget.
9/11 effected us all and changed America and the world forever. Our thoughts and heartfelt prayers go out to all those who died, their families and the people that were effected by this horrific act of terrorism.
I also want to pay tribute to Jim's son and to all the other service men and women who put their lives on the line defending our countries from such acts of terror.
Jim thanks for sharing your story. I can't imagine what you must have been feeling having your son serving later and your daughter traveling at the time of the attacks.
In these comments I see and feel a range of emotions and all of them are valid. As a New York resident I will live will scars forever having been here at the time, but my heart breaks for innocent people all over the world who have been sacrificed for political and selfish reasons. No one will escape judgement that I am sure of as I am a believer in God. So the best thing I can do is live my best life and love others the best I can for as long as I can. Because tragedies like 9/11 and others that happen all over the world each and every day show us that life can be fleeting. God Bless us all!
http://lyricfire.typepad.com/lyric-fire/YYYY/MM/lyric-fire-sapphire-for-september.html
Jim a wonderful post. I'm grateful your family all made it through those the horrible days and months following the attack. I have talked to quite a few people in the last week or so; no we have not forgotten; yes it is still fresh in peoples minds. As I drove down the street this week I saw more and more flags come out on buildings and homes. For me The flags on cars are the most poignant, beautiful luxury cars, mini vans, suvs, and the traditional redneck truck. Even the cars showing our diversity, and our united thoughts.
A very touching post. Beautifully written.
As the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 approaches, we are brought into a time of reflection.
I was a kid just out of high school, working at Old Navy in my hometown of Barrie, Ontario, Canada when the disjointed news starting rolling in. Shock, fear - and talk of war were all around. That was soon replaced with information and our new found education on Terrorism. Our lives of peace, but also ignorance to the realities of the East had been interrupted, opened to Pain and Hatred like never before. My generation had felt the shift of possibility, and has thus created our new Worldview.
But I have to believe that there's more going on than merely what our eyes see, more than my life experiences. There's an Eternal-view from Gods perspective that has spanned far beyond the lives of humanity. Far beyond the Hate and Ignorances of this world.
He has had to endure it all. He has remained constant through it all, never changing. Love. The solid rock on which we all can stand, in good times or bad. Because His Word tells of these events, the ones that haunt us and our fellow human history. Nowhere does it say we are exempt, but that trials will come. But His promise is That He will never leave us or forsake us. And I have to cling to those words when everything I know is falling apart.
My prayers are with the families of those who went to the other side of eternity that day. Let us remember that they are the ones who see the bigger picture now, anxiously awaiting to share with us all their excitement, revelation and hope.
Daniel Biro
Hawk Nelson
So true Kriti, so true. One moves on but one never forgets the loss.
Hi JIM< yes he's home now but with his work here in NZ, he is often placing his life on the line for us all. He's now in the police.
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Hi John, thanks for linking in. Yes, the world changed that day for everyone.
Hi Derek, I fully agree that the servicemen/women and rescue personnel need to be remembered. Unselfish dedication to saving others can't be forgotten.
Thanks Thechronicler.
There's a huge amount of very touching posts around for this week.
Hi Jim! I really liked this post as well as reading everyone else's comments because it everyone was affected by this day no matter what background or what country you're from. Ten years ago I was in seventh grade and didn't really comprehend the magnitude of what happened. I didn't lose anyone close to me in that tragedy, but I at the age of 23 I've realized that it changed the world forever. It's important to remember all the lives lost on that day and days after the 11th.
Very touching Jim, I had very close friends that were involved and a couple that actually lost their lives 9/11, I must admit I am lucky that none of my children were involved as you mentioned your children were. I know how I felt to hear about "my close friends" couldn't imagine what you and your wife felt.
I agree where ever we are now we must stand "united" and hold hands as we remember those that were lost surrounding the events of this tragic day....
Jim the attach on the world trade center was on US soil but it was an attach on all of the world. for whatever things any may have done, it was the will of one man, for what ever agenda he had. of those who died all nations and ethnicity, and religion were represented. it is for us all to remember and somehow forgive those who did it. god bless
I'm not so sure you can blame it on just one man Roy.
But yes, we need to remember and find the will to forgive.
Excellent subject matter! I can't wait to read everything tomorrow. I am emotionally spent from today... I wasn't expecting to be hit like this, but it feels like a freight train blew through. I'm honored to participate in Magnificent Monday!
I hope you don't mind I put my post with the flags on here as well.
An inspiring post Jim!
I now look at 9/11 as a reminder to live life to the fullest. Lives are very fragile and can easily be taken from us. We need to live our life and cherish our loved-ones.
God bless and thanks to your son, Jim for serving in Iraq. All of our lives in the US, and indeed worldwide, were changed on 9/11. For my part, I hope that we have learned more than fear and distrust of others so that the lives of the fallen will not be in vain.
Hi Jim:
Thanks for this. Difficult to think of what I'd say, I THINK I'd make several calls:
To everyone in my family and my one BEST friend. I'd tell them all how much I loved them all.
I'd also tell them I'd see them again.
--
Chris
Jim, it must have been a terrible thing to let your son go to Iraq. But what can you do? Children grow up and they choose their own path. I understand the part where you said he would share his stories one day when he is ready. Sometimes it takes years before you finally feel ready to talk. Great post!
10 years on, the memory weighs heavily still.
I hope you don't mind I put my post of my remember collage on here. It is with a few other photos. I have a photo blog that I share with others. I do challenges to keep me shooting and to get better at what I do. Thanks for sharing and remembering with us...Great Post
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