Remembering 911

Early in the morning on September 11, 2001 Islamic terrorists hijacked 4 American Passenger Jets. Two crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City. One crashed into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. Passengers aboard the fourth jet were able to overpower the terrorists and crash the plane in a secluded area, killing all aboard. One at a time, the two World Trade Center Towers collapsed to the ground in an act of horrible destruction killing thousands of innocents civilians, brave policemen, and courageous firemen. The images would be played over and over on the TV’s around the world, an event that would shock and scare the nation and our world allies.

I remember distinctly that I was home in bed at the time, I had taken the day off work. My wife had called me from work to tell me to turn on the TV. When I first tuned in the two majestic towers were still standing, but smoke was billowing out of them. I watched in shock and awe as the terrible scene unfolded, and then again later as more details became available.

At the time, I was working for America West Airlines. Because of the terrorist risk, the FAA grounded all American flights for several weeks. My airline was virtually closed down. I often was unsure as I woke up each day whether I would still have a job. It was a shock to drive by Sky Harbor Airport each day and see the silent lonely airport.

Following the attack, my extended family exchanged e-mails on our thoughts and feelings at the time. I thought that our reactions might be interesting to preserve. I have changed the names in the correspondence to protect the innocent.

I grew up in a poor Catholic family in Phoenix Arizona. At the time of 911, my Father had already passed away. But all 6 of my brothers and sisters are still alive and well, along with my Mother. At this historic event unfolded, most of my extended family still lived in Arizona. Now, as I put this down on paper only my youngest brother, my Mother, and I still live in the Valley.
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The first note I saved was from my Mother. She was living in Young Arizona at the time of the bombing.
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From: "Mom"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2001 11:10:46 PM
Subject: today

It's not fear that bothers me. It's that I have no one to share my sorrow with. You know. It would be so nice to have someone's hand to hold while I watched all that on TV. What a terrible, terrible day! So sorrow-full. Pray for our country and those poor victims. Love you. Mom

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Sister1 is my oldest sister, living in the Detroit area at the time of the bombing.
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From: "Sister1"
To:

Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 3:53:29 AM
Subject: Re: today

I felt the same way yesterday. I still feel lost today. Who does one blame and how do we stop this from happening again? Part of me wants to kill everyone who was involved... the other part knows that an eye for an eye is just a means to escalate all of this. I do know prayer is all I can offer
and I can cry for the victims. I could use a collective hug as well. Love, Sister1

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Next my younger brother, his family, including his wife were living in Yuma Arizona at the time of the bombing.
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From: ‘Brother3’
To:
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 7:36:01 AM
Subject: Re: today

I am ready to get back in the Navy but I guess I am too old now. The baton has been passed to our next generation which includes ‘Brother1's son and nephew‘. The only thing we can do is go to war against these dogs. They brought their war to America and we need to finish it. Go get them guys. This is more personal for me, I know Naval Officers and Marines working in the Pentagon. This is war.

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Sister3, my younger sister, was living in the Boise Idaho area at the time of 911.
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From: ‘Sister3’
To:

Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 3:01:38 PM
Subject: Re: today

Yes but when will the blood shed stop. It really depresses me when my eight year old asks me why anyone would want to do this to us. I am afraid to tell her that when we find out who did this we will fight right back. Then children in another country will be asking their parents why anyone would want to do this to them. It really saddens me.

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Sister1 again.
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From: ‘Sister1’
To:
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 3:34:06 PM
Subject: Re: today

I agree Sister3... I just don't know what the answer is but I think we have to go on loving. Love Sister1

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Brother2
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From: ‘Brother2’
To:

Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 3:41:25 PM
Subject: Re: today

The face of Mayor Rudolph last night and this morning really got to me. I can see the loss and the heartache of the entire city in it. When he spoke this morning, he mentioned rebuilding saying they will rebuild to greater then before. That is how I feel...that we must
learn from this ordeal and become better for it.


Still, to the families of those victims my heart goes out.

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Sister1
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From: ‘Sister1’

To:
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 4:00:33 PM
Subject: Re: today

amen

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Sister2 was living in Phoenix at the time of 911.
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From: ‘Sister2’
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 6:43:28 PM
Subject: Re: today

For the past two days I have sat with a group of children aged 13 to 18 and watched the horrible scenes on the TV. Answering their questions, providing support for their fears, and helping them to calm down. Each of them discussed how they would respond and it all went from one student saying "let's blow them all up" to one student asking "how can we kill babies like they did?" I had no real answer for them except to tell them that we need to support each other and our country. The students have now organized an American Pride day for Friday and we are all signing up to go to the blood banks, when they have available space, even some of my 18 year old students have signed up! Like Sister1 says, all we can do is pray. I am torn myself with thoughts of retaliation and thoughts of moving on and trying to pick up the pieces. But one thing that I do know is that we need to know who could be so sick as to do what was done yesterday and find a way to make sure that it never happens again. We all need to know that we are safe in our own homes. I pray for Nephew1 and Friend1, and several friends who are in the service. One of my students informed me that he turns 18 next month and all he wants to do is enlist and go to war! God help him and us too. I guess all of the shock hasn't worn off for me, my sons keep calling so that they can get reassurance that they are safe where they are. It breaks my heart to hear their fear and to know that my words may make them feel better for a few minutes but then it wears off as they remember whatever words or pictures they
saw yesterday and today. Love all of you, and thinking of you all today really helps!

Sister2
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Everyday should be considered the first day of the rest of our lives, But then again if the rest of our lives are anything like today than I would rather not consider it!

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Addressed from Brother3, this is actually his wife.
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From: ‘Brother3’
To:
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 7:28:21 PM
Subject: Re: today

The bloodshed will not stop whether we are the ones to stop it or not. The Bible never promises our lives will be free from suffering and disaster. But God does promise inner peace during times of turmoil. The prophet, Jeremiah witnessed his world crumbling down around him. He not only experienced the present wrath but God also told him of the horrible future to come. At that time, the children of Israel were about to be sent into exile. Some in very violent ways. In the book of Lamentations, things are pretty dismal, but all of a sudden Jeremiah is reminded of the hope he has in God. He precedes to write the favorites of verses, Lamentations 3:22-24
22. "The Lord's loving kindnesses Indeed never cease For His compassions never fail.
23. They are new every morning; Great is Thy faithfulness.
24. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I have hope in Him. Our hope goes beyond this world of pain and destruction. God promises an eternal home in heaven where there is no pain or tears. You see, God
made this possible by sending His only Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the sins of the world. No one is without sin only Jesus. We all need a Savior. And perhaps this is a good time to realize that. Life here is so short. And bodies are only temporary but souls are eternal. Now where they go after death is up to us by repenting of our sins and accepting Christ as our Savior, we have everlasting life with Him. Those of you that have done this, be encouraged, God has something far better that this. Focus on the hope. Those of you who have not done this, please consider your eternity, it is a matter of life or death, heaven or hell. Those who died yesterday didn't have a lot of time to think about it. As far as our nation's response to this evil doing, remember what our country has always fought for -"liberty and justice for all". Much blood has been shed for not just our freedom, but for the freedom of other countries. It has always been worth fighting for and never done in vain. God Bless America! I love you all!

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Brother3, following up his wife.
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From: ‘Brother3’
To:
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2001 7:34:27 PM
Subject: Re: today

At least America never has and will not intentionally target their or anyone else's children. Also, this is actually a matter of defense rather than revenge. We can not let anyone or any nation come to our soil and do what these people have done.

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Brother2
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From: ‘Brother2’
To:
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2001 9:04:45 AM
Subject: Re: today

Do you mean Americans as individuals? Timothy Mcveigh was an American. Do you mean Americans as soldiers? Was not My Lai a civilian massacre? Do you mean Americans as politicians? Was not Senator Kerry at My Lai.

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Brother4 was living in Phoenix at the time of 911.
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Hey Everybody...

Now my take on this attack. Before I do, I just want everybody to understand that I do believe in God, but I don't think he has anything to do with this and I wish everybody, especially are leaders in Washington, would stop making references to him as if he is going to guide us. I don't know God personally, but I am pretty sure he didn't have
anything to do with the attack and he will not approve of any retaliation. We as people are perfectly capable of making our own decisions without looking to him for guidance. The last thing that I want is this to turn into some kind of "holy war" where each side tries to prove that their God is more powerful. If I'm not mistaken, our God and their God are the same God. OK... I'm through with my sermon. I believe that we need to
take out any person, organization, or country with any force necessary that has befriended, associated with, or harbored any international terrorist organization, not
just the ones responsible for the attack. Where does it stop? When terrorism stops!!!!

Now, I am just a common person without any military background and I do not
have any friends that may have been involved. I'd like to get on with my life at this point. I won't ever be able to forget those images or the thoughts of those people that died, but it does not do them any good to change the way we live. The best thing we could do is get vengeance for their loss and move on. I did think of an alternative plan... we could give them the most cruel punishment I could think of. We could send them the
Cardinals along with the Bidwell folly's. That would throw their governments into total chaos. Heck... we could even throw in a brand new football stadium and watch them fight in the streets.


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Brother2
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From: ‘Brother2’
To:
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2001 8:46:36 AM
Subject: Re: My Take

Brother1, have you heard from your son since this all happened? Has his unit been deployed to the city or otherwise involved in the action? Please let him know that our prayers are with him and his family...


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Brother1, living in Phoenix at the time of 911. His oldest son was in the Army.
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From: ‘Brother1’
To:
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2001 9:54:59 AM
Subject: Re: My Take

Thanks for asking. “My Son” is part of the 10th Mountain Division which is an elite assault division that is often the first to be deployed. He has received all sorts of special training, including jumping out of planes and rappelling from helicopters. Fun stuff. Not that long ago he was training in New York City with ambulance crews. He recently reenlisted and is looking forward to his next duty station at Ft Huachuca south of Tucson. He was also scheduled for Ksovo and was going to leave next month. Since he is a medic with the 10th, it is likely that his plans will change. So far nothing certain. I will keep you advised as things become more clear.

Our nephew XXXXX is assigned to a Destroyer that was scheduled for a Gulf tour in October. He was recalled from leave. He gets to shoot cruise missiles, which might be a great way to relieve frustration.

One interesting note. I taught a public procurement class about a year ago in Kingston New York, which is about 60 miles north of the city. Of the twenty students, five were Port Authority contracting officers and they work on the 60th floor of tower one. I received an e-mail yesterday and all 20 Port Authority contracting employees survived. I
imagine the details will be very interesting. I understand some financial houses lost hundreds of employees. Looking around, it is very hard to imagine losing more than half my colleagues.

I hope everyone, including our government keeps things in perspective. Our response should be measured and accurate. The Soviets fought Afghanistan for ten years in their own version of Viet Nam. We should also remember the attitude of the British during the Battle of Britain. They were bombed day and night yet they tried to conduct business and
life as usual, with brief visits to shelters while the bombs fell. This "stiff upper lip" eventually resulted in the end of the siege, and many frustrated Germans. I think the Brits were down to just a few banged up Spitfires by this point but they hung in there. The Brits also captured the sympathy of the world. Seems like the same thing is happening, many nations uniting against terrorism. Our response will determine whether we retain that sympathy and respect.

Don't you just hate these stupid lectures