I can remember where I was on that fateful day in late summer of 2001. We all can. I was at work preparing for a work event that I was leading. My brother from Texas called and told me that a plane had just hit one of the twin towers in New York City. He wondered could it have been an accident. My immediate reaction to him was, “[t]hat this was no accident and it could not have been any kind of accident. It was terrorist attack.” I think that most of us thought the same thing, but were so caught off guard that a lot of us remained in denial until that second plane hit the second tower. Within hours of that first plane crash, I think that we all realized that we, America, were under a coordinated attack.
As I reflect today on my reaction then to the enemy who did this to us, I can’t help but remain in mourning for all of those who suffered loss at the hands of the Muslim extremists. But, I also reflect on how my attitude of admiration and respect towards certain groups has grown. From the first responders to all of the men and women who have enlisted in our armed services as a result of events on that terrible day, my faith and hope in America was revitalized. It continues to be revitalized as I see more and more people standing up and not taking the easy path, but paths of self-sacrifice and service to their country and community.
To those who gave their lives as first responders on 9/11, to those who enlisted and served over sees, to those who are still first responders everywhere, and to all of the families who have lost time with their spouses, their kids and their friends … again, I say thank you and God Bless you and your families.
Remembering 9/11 – Faith and Hope Revitalized
I can remember where I was on that fateful day in late summer of 2001. We all can. I was at work preparing for a work event that I was leading. My brother from Texas called and told me that a plane had just hit one of the twin towers in New York City. He wondered could it have been an accident. My immediate reaction to him was, “[t]hat this was no accident and it could not have been any kind of accident. It was terrorist attack.” I think that most of us thought the same thing, but were so caught off guard that a lot of us remained in denial until that second plane hit the second tower. Within hours of that first plane crash, I think that we all realized that we, America, were under a coordinated attack.
As I reflect today on my reaction then to the enemy who did this to us, I can’t help but remain in mourning for all of those who suffered loss at the hands of the Muslim extremists. But, I also reflect on how my attitude of admiration and respect towards certain groups has grown. From the first responders to all of the men and women who have enlisted in our armed services as a result of events on that terrible day, my faith and hope in America was revitalized. It continues to be revitalized as I see more and more people standing up and not taking the easy path, but paths of self-sacrifice and service to their country and community.
To those who gave their lives as first responders on 9/11, to those who enlisted and served over sees, to those who are still first responders everywhere, and to all of the families who have lost time with their spouses, their kids and their friends … again, I say thank you and God Bless you and your families.