All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. ~Psalm 22:27
Today marks 22 years since the tragic events of what is now known as 9/11. For most Americans, and many other nations of the world, it was an unthinkable atrocity, one we hope and pray will never happen again in this country that was solidly founded on God's principles of freedom and justice for all.
We who are old enough all remember where we were and what we were doing when news of the fallen towers broke. In our overcrowded school, my homeroom/classroom was in a trailer. I had just dismissed my students to their first period block. As this was my planning period, I switched on the local news to listen passively while I graded papers and prepared for the day ahead. I couldn't imagine in my wildest dreams those stomach-churning headlines blaring across the air waves. As I had no television set where I was, I couldn't corroborate what I was hearing. In fact, I wouldn't see those horrific and heart-rending images of the falling towers until I got home much later that day.
Still, I recall going numb inside, the pain, sorrow and disbelief too much to bear in the moment. Now, 22 years later, the agony is still fresh in the minds and hearts of Americans. The senseless annihilation of innocent lives for no other reason than being a citizen of the United States was something incomprehensible, a nightmare from which there was no waking.
So many families still suffer today from the loss of loved ones at the towers, the Shanksville plane, and the Pentagon, on that fateful day, and following that event as fire fighters and police succumbed to the effects that the collapsed buildings had on their health as they bravely attempted to rescue all the victims they could from the smoldering rubble. Their courage and sacrifice make each one on them American heroes.
May we all mark this tragic anniversary by remembering each and every individual who died on 9/11 and in the aftermath, and turn to the Lord in prayer, that He will protect us from such heinous acts going forward.
And may we also pray for unity in this country without an event like 9/11 bringing us together as one 22 years ago.
Amen!
Where were you on 9/11? Please share in the comments.
We most certainly are on the same wave length today Martha. My blog post today (https://livingintheshadow.ovcf.org/2023/09/11/september-11-4/ ) is about my memories of 9/11. I tell where I was and what I was doing at the time. Senseless tragedy that changed all of our lives-for both good and bad. May we never forget.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Bill! I did read your stellar post this morning, and was appropriately moved. Glad to know we are on the same wave length, my friend. This one event did change our lives forever, no doubt about it.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I was in my office in downtown Kirkwood, Mo. I saw news reports online, and I turned on my portable black-and-white television set. And stared.
ReplyDeleteAnd stared . . . None of us wanted to see this, but we were drawn like a moth to flame. Never before in our history had anything like this had happened, and I pray it never happens again. But with our border wide open, my hopes are in jeopardy. May God look out for our country and protect us!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Tewksbury, MA. had landed at Logan airport the night before from Chicago. Such a tragedy, but one that could have so easily been avoided had we as a nation been less concerned with image and more concerned with our sovereignty.
ReplyDeleteYou hit the nail on the head, J. D. And things are not much better in this day and time. I pray every day that God would intervene in a timely way that this country, under God, might be saved so that no generation go through an atrocity like 9/11.
DeleteLove and blessings!
You've expressed my own feelings so beautifully. How can it be, really 22 years? Those moments frozen in my mind's eye ... snatches of conversation ... and emails. Oh, the e-mails! My friend from Italy: "We, my people are watching. God bless America."
ReplyDeleteI don't recall having cried at the time. But every anniversary thereafter, yes. Buckets. Like an old book title, "Tears are for the Living."
Thank you, Myra, for your heartfelt share about your reaction to that fateful day 22 years ago. I don't remember crying either until I got home and actually saw the footage on TV. We did sit on pins and needles at school, thinking that any minute we would be sending children home and end the day early. Surprisingly, we didn't, but there was no learning that day, as you can imagine. All the middle school kids wanted to do was talk about it and have caring adults listen; so that's exactly what we did.
DeleteYes, I've cried ever since on this day, just as you have.
Love and blessings!
When I heard the news in the Netherlands, I was outside. I was standing next to the fence in the doorway of our gate. My friend came up to me while I was picking up the garbage bin, and she said in a panic: there's an attack on America. I remember going inside and telling my husband. Then, we turned on the news.
ReplyDeleteOn that day, everything changed in Europe as well. More attacks occurred, in the years after it, and we became more vigilant.
It certainly was a tragedy that affected the entire world, Arieth. I so appreciate your input here as to how the wonderful people of your country were affected. I dimly recall attacks on European nations, too, and my heart breaks that you all had to go through that madness. A day when everything changed, indeed.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I will never forget. I took Mark to the airport. Normally I would not be up at the time of day. I ended up turning on the TV and saw what was happening. I called my dad, who was in CA at the time with my aunt and uncle. They are late sleepers but I knew they had to see this so I woke them up. Mark called me from the airport wondering if there was something going on because his plane was not taking off.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely NOT a day to be at the airport, Debby. Obviously, Mark got home safely, but it was a day when everything changed in this country, and in others who are our allies. May God preserve us from such attacks in the future. Let us hope and pray!
DeleteLove and blessings!
You speak our hearts Martha. You simply must read, The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland by Jim DeFede, to trump the evil of that day in your memories.
ReplyDeleteI most definitely will read this, my friend. I can't believe it's eluded me until today in your post. This post flowed when I wrote it; definitely gave me the feeling that I was speaking for countless others with regard to 9/11.
DeleteLove and blessings!
We should never forget . It is hard to fathom what has happened since that fateful day. But I know God is the One in charge. It will all come out in His timing.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Anne, I pray that it does! In the meantime, may we never forget.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I was living in Fairbanks, Alaska and when my tv alarm went off, I heard people talking about planes crashing in to buildings. Needless to say, we were shocked and ended up glued to the tv for hours and days listening to the aftermath. People placing pictures of their loved ones that they were looking for. Shocking indeed. It reminded me of Kennedy's assassination back when I was a kid, stunned and glued to the tv back then too. These are events no one can forget and should not forget.
ReplyDeleteI'm old enough to remember President Kennedy's assassination, too, Bill. I was only eight. Yes, my whole family was glued to the set as well. It was traumatic for me as it was the first time I ever saw my father cry. Heartrending!
DeleteMay we ever remember and vow not to let such atrocities happen again!
(Just an aside - I've heard pundits report that there are currently people calling for President Trump to be assassinated - what kind of evil is that??? Lord, please bring such evil thoughts to naught!)
Love and blessings!
I, also, chose to blog about 9/11, tying it to a scripture our pastor sent out today. Back then, I had just looked out our back door and saw the trash men had not picked up my recycle newspapers. The phone rang. It was my best friend. She had been watching TV and saw the first plane hit and thought it was an accident. Then the second plane hit. I turned on the TV and woke my husband. He chose to call our son who worked nights and lived across the state from us. This date always makes me feel sad. Peace and blessings to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteI saw your post, Cecelia, and I've responded. Thank you for sharing here what you were doing on that fateful day. May God protect this country from such evil from this day forward.
DeleteLove and blessings!
A day not to be forgotten, I was here at home getting the girls ready for school when I turned the TV on and there it was the shock and horror struck me like I had been slapped
ReplyDeleteShock and horror are perfect words to describe that day, Jo-Anne. Were you living in the States at that time? I'm so touched by folks living around the world who were devastated by this terrible news 22 years ago.
DeleteLove and blessings!
We should never forget. And we must continue to pray for world peace; and for all who lost their lives, were injured and for their families.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha, for this wonderful post. May God protect us all from all evil.
God bless you and your family, my friend.
Oh, yes, Victor, let's continue to pray for every innocent victim of evil in this world, and pray that God will continue to bless and keep us safe!
DeleteLove and blessings!
About 9:15 on September 11, 2001, our elementary school librarian notified via email to all the faculty and staff about what was happening, shortly after the first tower went down. All we could think of was that some horrific accident had occurred. Then came word of the second tower, the attack on the Pentagon, the plane down in PA. We felt sick, like we'd been kicked in the stomach. Instructions were not to tell the students, but that many parents would be picking up their children, even though we lived in FL. (Who knew what else was planned and where it might happen? Parents wanted their young ones CLOSE.) I cannot even imagine the horror at Ground Zero. May God minister peace and comfort to the victims' families and friends who are still living with the grief of that day--as only He can.
ReplyDeleteYes, Nancy, only God can ultimately provide the comfort and healing so needed in this country. My children were in high school at the time, and came home shell-shocked as their teachers decided to let the televisions run in every classroom that day. I can't begin to tell you how furious I was at that lack of discretion! I had barely begun to digest it before I had to be able to address the feelings of my own kids.
DeleteLike you, I thought the first tower hit was accidental - that changed in an instant when that second plane hit. I hope and pray this country never has to endure such a tragedy again. How sad that it took a horrible attack to unite our country.
Love and blessings!
I was at work, at the Museum. One of the staff came running into our administration offices and said to turn on the TV (in the boss's office). We all crowded around and watched in horror. I will never forget it. I will never forget the following weeks/months either. Americans came together. Flags were flying on porches. We united. I miss that and wish it didn't take acts of violence and tragedy to bring us together.
ReplyDeleteI'm so with you on that, Terri. Why did it take a tragedy to bring us together? And now, look at us; more divided than ever. Our country should be first and foremost after our love and reverence for God. Let's continue to pray for all the victims of 9/11 and for the health of our nation!
DeleteLove and blessings!
thank you for this reflective piece, Martha. it truly is hard to comprehend that this was all 22 years ago. it was one of the few times the TV was on in the morning and now i know why. i went off to PT and got to pray with the receptionist there who I had never met before. we were all in shock. and understandably so by this unspeakable act.
ReplyDeleteShock is the operative word to describe that horrid day, Linda. I think it took our entire nation many days/weeks to completely process what happened, and there are those who are still processing it two decades later. May we ever remember all the victims of that day, and those who suffer lasting injuries from their heroic response and rescue in the aftermath.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Martha, thanks for this beautiful tribute. I don't think I knew that you were a teacher. I remember that tragic day well. I was working from home for several companies, when several friends and family members told me to turn on the TV. I was numb and sick to my stomach, too. I remember not being able to eat lunch, it was just so unbelievable! May we remember and continue to pray for those still affected by this horrific tragedy. God bless. Karen Friday
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen, for sharing here where you were and what you were doing at the time of this tragedy. I think for all of us, that is a memory seared forever in our minds. Who could forget?
DeleteMay God protect us all going forward, and help us to ensure that this type of horror will never happen again.
Love and blessings!
I join you in your prayer. May we love one another and have unity once again. God bless you. Aloha
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cloudia. Yes, may we love others as Jesus commanded us to, and strive for peace and unity for everyone.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Thank you for your post. I don't think any of us will ever forget where we were and exactly what we were doing on that horrible morning of 9/11. I was cleaning the living room when my daughter called. She and and my son-in-law were stationed at a military base in Germany. She said, Mom, turn on the TV! I turned it on just as the second plane hit the second tower. All I could do was stand and stare, in unbelief. Images of it all will be with me forever. So many lives changed on that day. Heartbreaking to think about it all.
ReplyDeleteIt is heart-breaking to think about all that transpired that fateful day, Henny, but we must never, ever forget. Our past is crucial to our future in order to move forward positively and productively. May God bless and comfort all the victims of this tragedy and may He bless this nation.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Sorry I didn't see this yesterday, Martha, but God bless you for sharing your memory of that day and for being another welcome prompt for us to relive our own experience. Like you, I'm old enough (and then some) to recall very clearly what that day was like. I was in a hotel in Anchorage, AK and my wife called from VA to tell me to turn the TV on and began to tell me what had happened. The feelings from that day are not so hard to recall, and they were shared by millions of us. Shock, disbelief, dismay, rage, grief, and an anxious uncertainty about what was coming next. It was a time to renew our commitment to God and to thank God for our loved ones that were safe and to pray for those still living that were wounded and suffering. I don't know if we'll ever feel again the kind of unity that emerged in the aftermath of that awful morning, but if we do, I hope that it doesn't come at such a cost. Thank you again, dear friend, for your sensitive and inspirational reminder.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Ron, for sharing your memories here with us. All who were/are old enough to recall that day will never forget it. And how I do hope and pray that God will grant this nation the type of unity we felt in the aftermath, but without another tragedy to prompt it. Sometimes, considering how far our country has strayed from God's truths, I wonder if that is even possible. Of course, we know that with God, everything is possible. Let us pray!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Unity is what we need. Love one another. Propaganda from other countries and people that mean us ill have confused so many people. We just have to go back to the basics. Love, your neighbor. Thank you and aloha
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Cloudia - Let us love our neighbor as ourselves. Jesus has all the answers.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Bom dia, Martha
ReplyDeleteFoi terrível esse ataque, somente Deus para consolar os corações daqueles que perderam seus parentes e amigos, soube da noticia aqui no Brasil através dos noticiários. O meu pai faleceu no dia 11 de setembro de 2014, ele tinha 81 anos, saudades, foi um excelente pai, cheio da vida de Deus. Um forte abraço.
It must be difficult to have the memories of 9/11 attached to such a significant date in your personal life, Lucinalva. I remember feeling sorry for all the people who had birthdays on that fateful day. My father passed away in March of 2014; like you, I miss him to this day.
DeleteLove and blessings!
I was on my way to a new workout class having dropped my kids off to school when I heard the news on the radio, I thought of a helicopter rescue, little did I know or imagine the scope of this tragedy.
ReplyDeleteI don't think any of us understood the scope at the time, Christine. I know I didn't. Once it sunk in, I knew that the world had changed forever. May such an atrocity never happen again!
DeleteLove and blessings!
I was perched on a ladder, painting a wall in my room when the hubs rushed in to switch on the tv. He had just heard from his coworker about the news. I will never forget the tragic images of the smoking towers on the tv screen.
ReplyDeleteHugs and blessings, Martha
No matter where we were at the time, Veronica, we will never forget that fateful day.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Boa tarde Martha. Um fato marcado na história mundial. Muita saúde para você e sua família.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Luiz! Hope your family is doing well, too.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Hi Martha, it was a horrific thing that happened on that day. A passer by told me of it as I was walking home from town. I can not imaging how anyone could do such a thing.
ReplyDeleteAmerica could not have imagined this happening, either, Brenda, but it did, and it changed so many things we formerly took for granted. I so wish the sense of unity after this remained. Maybe, one day . . .
DeleteLove and blessings!
This is a good book writed by a good and inspírated person. Thanks for give knowledgement and publicity of the existente of this book.
ReplyDeleteI ordered the book by Defede and just started reading it. Fascinating, J. S.!
DeleteLove and blessings!