12 Most Memorable Moments From the Tenth Anniversary of 9-11
I woke up early yesterday and turned on the television. It was the 10th anniversary of that horrible day we now refer to simply as 9/11. Other than bathroom and eating breaks, I didn’t leave the couch in front of our TV for much of the rest of the day.
Yes, I knew it was the 10th anniversary of 9/11. I’d even spoken about it earlier this week on my radio show. The topic that day was “Allowance,” but we ended up spontaneously speaking about 9/11 with an especially moving segment with my regular “Teen Rap” guest, Pastor Drew Sams.
Nothing prepared me for the feelings that overcame me yesterday. It’s indescribable as I heard and saw an emotional mix of new and old images, stories, and testimonials from that tragic day.
I had decided the moment I woke up that yesterday was not going to be normal. Though I usually schedule my tweets for the day when I wake up, and in fact had many already scheduled for Sunday, I realized there was nothing more important than 9/11 yesterday. I cleaned out my Twitter calendar and only posted Tweets that I found in various searches on Google and YouTube. I did the same for my Facebook Page, but that was easy because it was #FaithSunday, as it is every Sunday on the “A Dad’s Point-of-View” Facebook Page.
Ground Zero
Given that I’ve been recently writing a number of articles for 12Most.com, I found myself thinking in lists of 12 yet again. I knew that a list of 12Most memorable moments from yesterday would be trivial at only 12, but I also knew that every person would have their own moments, their own memories, and I knew I had to at least memorialize mine.
There were nearly 3,000 names read, over four hours yesterday. Each name belonged to a human being, a father, son, mother, daughter, friend, etc. So many names that they almost all dissolve into one morass of sadness. I’ve chosen to use no names for this list. Instead, I chose an example of a child reading a parent’s name, a first responder’s moving story, a hero, and so many more as representative of all the individuals that should be remembered as individuals forever. So, in no particular order or importance, here are my 12 Most Memorable Moments From the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11.
My Son, Aaron, By 9-11 Memorial Plaque - May We Never Forget
1. Ten-year-old Boy Honoring His Dad
It took around hours to read all the names of the victims. Only some readings were televised. One boy spoke about his father. He simply said that he was in his mom’s belly when his dad died. He thanked his dad for giving him life and wished he were here with him. They never met.
2. Every Speech Was Non-Partisan
For ONCE, every speech seemed to actually be non-partisan and non-political reminding us of how strong the unity of American can be. The memory of those first few weeks after 9/11, when everyone was more polite, displaying flags, and otherwise united returned during this sad day.
3. Our Military Lost Thousands More Since
The War on Terror began that day. It hasn’t ended and, after a decade, our troops have suffered thousands of fatalities and casualties. Even the heroic Navy Seal team ,who took out Osama Bin Laden, were struck and horribly impacted in Afghanistan. Do not forget these heroic men and women!
Leather Firehat from 9-11 Memorial Preview Site
4. NFL Moment In Every Stadium In The U.S.
After 9/11, we were advised after to show our spirit by living our lives and not allowing “them” to win by denying our spirit. No place was that more evident than the simultaneous display of Americana at every NFL stadium, simultaneously, yesterday. The cheering at the completion of the Star-Spangled Banner was uplifting.
5. The Fireman Who Ran Back
There are so many stories of heroism, from all the efforts of the fireman and police in New York City to the Americans who brought down Flight 93. One man, a fireman who had just finished his shift, turned his truck around to head directly to the site. He came to the tunnel leading to Manhattan and it was closed. He put his pack of 60 pounds of rescue equipment on his back, ran to Ground Zero, and was never found again.
6. Image of Our President When He Heard the News
Our President was in a Florida second grade classroom announcing a new “reading initiative.” In an unprecedented breach of protocol his Chief of Staff interrupts and whispers in the President’s ear. The President was quiet, thinking, pondering, and wondering. America was under attack, he was told. Seeing his look again, yesterday, brought back all the questions we all had in those first 24 hours. What would it all mean?
7. Remembering My Visit to Ground Zero With My Son
Nothing quite prepares a human being confronting evil and horror in person. Visiting Ground Zero was sobering. It was memorable and it was part of a trip to New York, this past July that was supposed to be all about fun for my son and me. We walked all around Ground Zero. My son didn’t rush the visit. Yesterday morning, he sat by my side, as we watched together the 10th anniversary remembrances.
Soldier Visiting A Fire Station Next To Ground Zero
8. Burned Over 80% Of Her Body
Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives on 9/11 but many more were injured, in many cases quite severely. One woman was trapped in an elevator in one of the towers. The flames from the explosion above engulfed her, burning 80% of her body. She survived, according to her, due to her maternal will to be there for her 10-month-old baby as well as her determination not to let the terrorists win.
9. Quadruple Amputees
Since the War on Terror began that day, ten years, ago there have been thousands of fatalities and many more thousands injured. THREE survivors of this unwanted war brought upon us are quadruple amputees. A number more lost three limbs.
10. I’m Proud To Be An American
One of the many things America does better than any other country is produce amazing entertainment. The songs that followed 9/11 were wonderful. The movie about Flight 93 was stirring, and there are scores of extraordinary writing about the events that have flowed ever since and will flow ever more.
9-11 Memorial Construction at Ground Zero
11. The Debate Over The 9/11 Memorial But It Turned Out Just Right
Without rehashing the debate over how the memorial should look, and all the conflicting interests, the final choice of design seems just right based on what was seen yesterday. Having the two largest man-made fountains, in the United States, in the footprint of the towers is inspired.
12. We Will Thrive
The stories from 9/11 remind us of the power of the human spirit, the power of America, and the power of faith. We Will Thrive!
http://BruceSallan.com
Bruce gave up a quarter century career in showbiz to become a stay-at-home-dad. Those experiences fueled his desire to advocate on behalf of dads, the last remaining group it seemed everyone could disparage with impunity. He began writing a column, “A Dad’s Point-of-View” which is now carried in over 100 newspapers and web sites. Bruce’s first book, A Dad’s Point-of-View: We ARE Half the Equation is available at Amazon, iTunes, BN.com, and the store at BruceSallan.com. “The Bruce Sallan Show - A Dad’s Point-of-View,” Bruce’s one-hour radio show, is available anytime, via live stream, or to download for free on the Radio Show Page at BruceSallan.com. Find Bruce on Facebook by joining his A Dad’s Point-of-View Page. You can also follow Bruce at Twitter. Bruce hosts a TweetChat called #DadChat each Thursday from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., PST.
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