The 10th Anniversary Of The 9/11 Attacks

I realized today that my children, who are about to turn 6 and 8 years old have never lived in peace time America. This broke my heart just a little. What else brakes my heart? Every time I'm introduced to a Gold Star family member. If anyone knows adequate words to say to someone who's lost a child, a spouse, a sibling, or a parent please let me know. Saying I'm sorry for your loss seems completely deficient.

But I digress....

Ten years have passed. Ten years of War. We've had two presidents. Gas prices have gone from approximately $1.50 per gallon to $3.89 per gallon where I live. The government developed new agencies like Homeland Security, and the TSA to supposably keep us safe from future terrorist attacks. There are fewer and fewer signs of patriotism in everyday life as civilians without military connections grow weary. I fear such apathy will develop into only vowing to never forget once a year, instead of being diligent about remembering the lives lost on that September day, and every day since. When I say remember and never forget I don't just mean American lives, American's were not the only passengers on those planes or in the WTC. See a previous post Never Forget. Thousands of Coalition lives have been lost in the last ten years as well.

I asked one of my friends who has been on multiple deployments and lost friends what September 11th meant to him. He said, "It shows the myth is busted. America is not invulnerable. We need to always be vigilant."

Here are some other blog postings and articles I think are valuable. I encourage you to read them, as they each have a different perspective on September 11th.

An Unlikely Hero  by Rebecca Liss, Slate Magazine. 
I personally believe this is an unfit title, but the story brought a tear to my eye.
Semper Fi

Sorrow and Resolve  by Maryann of Soldiers' Angels Germany.
I've had the privilege of meeting Maryann. She speaks as poignantly as she writes.

A family remembers: Hero of 9/11 gave life to save thousands by Jess Wisloski, NYC editor Yahoo News.   
This title says it all. It is a family friendly version of Rick Rescorla's actions on 9/11.

Rick Rescorla - BadAss Of The Week
I have to post a warning for profanity, but this blog goes into Rick Rescorla's couragous military history from England to America to 9/11. The word Hero doesn't quite encompass what Rick Rescorla was.

Talismans, 9-11 and #PTSD by Mikey Piro, ptsdsurvivordaily.
An officer who lost family in the towers remembers.

Ten Years Gone  by Tom Sileo The Unknown Soldiers.
An interesting juxaposition between 9/11 and the recent helicopter tragedy that killed 30 in Afghanistan.

9/11: On Kindness  by Kanani. The Kitchen Dispatch
A unique look at compassion sparked by 9/11.

Patriot Day 10 Years Later The American Legion


9/11 + 10 Years: Fears Realized  by WOTN Editor, War On Terror News

Never Forget

What is the best way to Honor the men and women who sacrifice their freedom for us?  How do we Honor those Hero's who make the ultimate sacrifice;  their life for our freedom? We Never Forget.
I see the public disassociating with the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  People are becoming more and more apathetic as they walk through their daily business. Here are some facts I hope will shake off the blindfold of apathy and help people remember the Tragedy that started it all. Honor the Heros who lost their lives that September day. Honor the families who lost a Hero. Honor the Heros who have fought, and are still fighting for us. NEVER FORGET.

September 11, 2001

2,976 people were killed. 

Here is a breakdown of those deaths:

•      247 people on 4 planes 
•      American Airlines Flight 11 flown into the North Tower with 87 passengers and crew members on board.
•      United Airlines Flight 175  flown into the South Tower with 60 passengers and crew members on board. 
•      American Airlines Flight 77 flown into the Pentagon building with 64 passengers and crew members. 
•      United Flight 93 crashed in Shankville PA with 36 passengers and crew members who lost their lives stopping the 4 hijackers. 

There were 2,605 people in the World Trade Center and near it, including:

•      343 NYFD Firefighters and Paramedics
•      23 NYPD Police Officers
•      47 Port Authority Workers
•      37 Port Authority Police Officers
•      1,434 people in the North Tower
•      599 people in the South Tower
•      1 NYFD Firefighter killed by a man jumping off the top floors of the Twin Towers
•      327 Foreign Nationals

There were 125 Civilians and Military personnel at the Pentagon.

More than 3,051 children lost parents.

Visit the CNN Memorial site here. It is worth seeing.


Note: The number of the lost do not include the deaths of the 19 hijackers.