MEMORIES OF 9/11

As all of you are aware by now, the "Memories Of 9/11 Contest" was a great success. By that I mean you all were wonderful in helping us dig back into that painful day and pause to reflect on what happened and how we felt. It still hurts, doesn't it? I know, from a personal standpoint, it still hurts me greatly. I am still, three years later, trying to come to grips with the scope of the tragedy and the sudden loss of over three thousand fellow citizens. These were innocent men and women who had done nothing to deserve the brutal deaths they received. And they all left behind thousands of family members whose sorrow is unending.


I have read all of the submitted essays countlesss times and every time I read them a tear comes into my eye. Not for the loss of life, although that is a large part of it, but more importantly for the change in attitude I see in this country and around the world since then. Our so-called allies and friends overseas, who grieved with us on that day, eventually turned against us in the interests of their own political agendas and, in some cases, out of pure commercial greed. In addition, Americans who were standing solidly together on that day are now spitting and fighting with one another over petty issues. Finger pointing has re-entered our national psyche and angry political divisiveness is threatening to split our country apart again. That is why I am sad.

Below, you will find ALL of the essays entered. Take the time to read them and recall how you felt on that day. Even if it hurts. Especially if it hurts. It begins with a short poem by yours truly that expresses my feelings. Then the essays follow with the top-voted essays first. The last piece is my own essay, taken from my voice recorder, which I had with me on a business trip that week. No one should have to listen to themselves narrate those events. It took a tremendous amount of courage to listen to myself and transcribe those feelings. The people who entered their essays here relied mostly on memory but I feel a kinship with all of them.

Stand tall and stand proud, America. For one brief shining moment we were all on the same team. Let us not wait until more innocent lives are lost before we regain that unity.