“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate” ~ Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl.
Today we remember those fallen on this day 11 years ago. Across the country, memorial services are held, those who lost friends and family mourn and remember their faces and their spirits. I along with many in this great nation pause and pay tribute for those now gone forever, and for those who continue to fight against the ugly face of evil and terror here in this sphere of remembrance.
Many remember the tragic day as if it were yesterday. I can recall exactly where I was when the news first broadcast. I had just went to work and clocked in for my shift that morning. It was a slow day and after an hour had passed I walked to the break-room while passing by a few in the hall who had tears in their eyes. After pouring a soft-drink I looked at the TV and saw a building on fire… Soon after I began watching, groups of others all convened in front of the television, many in shock, many in utter disbelief. And though I was over 1500 miles away from the towers, I too watched in horror as the second plane smashed into the second tower. In watching the towers crumble to the ground my heart sank with ache, as though it heard thousands of voices suddenly cry out in pain.
We can learn much from the memory of this wound. The scar will never in my mind fade. For those of us who have lost loved ones, and for we who proudly served our country, this day marks the legacy of an ideal that can still be realized; a dream of freedom and the ideal of compassion for all people, no matter creed, religion or caste. This ideal is attainable, and for the memory and honor of so many fallen angels and soldiers we should do our duty to see that this ideal is realized and embodied by our children. Here now, there is time for life. There is no time for hate.
We saw many things that day 11 years ago. We saw horror, fear and hatred. We saw evil at it’s raw and wretched nature. We saw sadness and pain. But what else did we see? We saw pure heroism, selflessness, love, hope and unity. We saw those with no regard for their own safety rush to help their fellow brothers in their hour of need. This is what is human. This is the ideal, and to live this ideal is our legacy.
My thoughts and prayers are with all those who lost, all those who mourn, all those who fight and all those who choose to remember on this day. Peace be to all.
Semper Fi
HeartSphere 
Thank you. Your sympathy is much appreciated on the loss of our loved one. Jay
It is my honor, and you have my sincere condolences.
Thank you. Jay
Beautifully said! Blessings to you and yours and thank you for your service!
Thank you! My pleasure sir!
Amen, and God bless you, all who served or stepped forward to help in any way.
Thank you! Best wishes to you and yours.
Thank you.
This is simply beautiful. =)
Thank you! 🙂
It has been 11 years- I was in fourth grade when this happened. Although I didn’t lose anyone close to me I was deeply affected. My closest friends told me she couldn’t be friends with me because I was Muslim. My condolences to all who lost their loved ones.
Beautiful tribute. As I caught glimpses of that horrible day again, the terror and shock and sadness still grips me. I found out yesterday for the first time a coworker lost her fiance that day. He had a meeting and ended up at the Twin Towers by mistake. She has been terrorized ever since. I never knew why until yesterday.
These people were just doing what we all do, living their daily lives, taking care of their families, learning, growing. Then to see humanity step up to the plate and help each other, to see the heroes who downed the plane in Pennsylvania. There is that mixture of tears of shock and sadness mixed with inspiration and awe. Emotions converge that move us all to do everything we can to be kind and love one another. It was a time when our nation was one, united against acts of violence, loving one another. I don’t know if you remember but I remember how it seemed after that event, everyone was just generally kind to each other …. everywhere. It’s like we were all hit with how fragile life is and love and kindness were more important than what divided us. It took precedence.
Yes, let us be a culture of life, not death. Thank you for this tribute.
Peace,
Alexandria
God bless their souls, together with the souls of more than 1 million Iraqis who died because of the US occupation.
When hearts grow bigger and minds more open, then “nation” disappears, “religion” disappears, “race” disappears, just “humanity” and “love” count.
If the widow of Pilot Dahl can refuse to allow hate in her heart, surely we can all do likewise and begin to change the world, one heart at a time. This is the highest accolade of remembrance we can possible offer to those lost on 09/11/2001.
Semper fi.
I nominated you for a Liebster Award!
http://fallingshortoftheabsolutetruth.wordpress.com/2012/09/13/liebster-award-nomination/
May all those lost RIP. Awesome post.
I just nominated you for the Super Sweet Blogger Award.