A Day Of Reflection
My wife and I were both paramedics in our past, and this time of year we pause and remember 9/11. So many people senselessly murdered, both innocent civilians, and those brave firefighters, police, and medics who responded to the Twin Towers. Duty called and they answered.
They answered the call!
We actually had a trip scheduled to New York City 2 months after 9/11 but instead of cancelling like so many visitors were doing, we decided to go anyway. It was one of the best decisions we ever made. We should never let them win. This was not: “Somebody did something.” This was wanton murder done in the name of Allah. I am not the one saying that, they did. We should never forget what happened or who did it.
Never ever forget! This is the “Something somebody did!”
Our trip to Ground Zero is forever etched in my mind. The buildings were still smoking. And seeing a large digger against the pile of rubble was like a small Tonka toy next to a mountain. The size was so massive, beyond what I imagened. And the smell was something I will never forget. The walls surrounding the area, if memory serves me correct it was 19 square blocks, were covered with pictures of the missing, flowers, and expressions of grief and remorse. It was so moving as people stood on the sidewalks clapping as first responders entered and left Ground Zero. But it was so heartbreaking to see family members walking the streets carrying pictures of their loved ones.
This is what it is all about. So sad.
As we walked, we came upon a store front that someone rented and was selling pictures of what happened to raise funds for people that suffered that day. These pictures were donated by anyone who was there. Walking through that old store, the walls were covered with pictures that left me mad, hurt, but yet so proud. That little store was a shrine to the events of that day and the many others that followed. It was a moving time and one I will never forget. So if you get a chance in the next couple of days, if you see a cop, a medic, or a fireman, stop and thank them. Every day they put on the uniform and head out, willing to lay it all on the line for us, and they deserve our thanks.
God Bless America.
(I comment on this often. And today going through online pictures I used above really reminded me why we should never forget. At least the government finally renewed the money for folks who are directly sick from their duty at Ground Zero. I was appalled when I found out the Taliban was coming to our soil, while still killing our brave soldiers. Disgusting. Sad that the world has gone nuts but I for one will never forget and we can not let this happen again.)
