September 11th
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The bear figurine is copyright of Boyd's Bears, but I wanted to share the tribute they did in honor of the Heroes of September 11th. I knew right away I wanted to get one, and I'm glad I did. All profits went to the NY Firefighters 9/11 Disaster Relief Fund.
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I wasn't sure of having a tribute page to the devastating
events that occurred on 9/11. But when I look back at photos such as this, I
can't help but do something. My first time of seeing the World Trade Center
was in March of 1985. My mother and I traveled to NYC from Colorado, and
were very excited to see the big city. And when we were going to see the
Statue Of Liberty, we were very taken by the magnificent height of the Twin
Towers and the NYC skyline. The Statue Of Liberty was the one in
need of repairs then; a *face lift*, if you will. Now the statue stands tall
and proud, and the buildings that were so incredible in size are gone, along
with so many innocent lives that went down with them. I will always remember
the thrill of seeing them, and will treasure the time my mother and I shared
looking at them in awe. My mother was the first person I called when I got
home from work the day of the attacks. I couldn't believe the buildings were
gone, and the NYC trip she and I had shared meant that much more to me. The hardest thing I had to do on September 11th was sing Happy Birthday to our seven-year-old daughter. She was doing disco dance movements ala' John Travolta the night before because she was so excited. It was very hard to celebrate when thousands had just died and no one knew what, if anything, was coming next. But it was something that we had to do for her. Unfortunately, because of the circumstances, I don't recall taking any pictures. So we lost the chance of having photos to remember her seventh birthday, except for the pictures we all see now of what was going on across the country. But we're the lucky ones. We're still here to celebrate when she turns eight this year. My heart goes out to those who lost friends and loved ones in NYC, as well as in DC and Pennsylvania. |
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Have to put in a word of thanks to the members of the military who are trying to keep our freedom intact. Having been in and associated with the Air Force myself, I know what it's like to put in long, grueling hours. . .it's not an easy task at all, and mine was in *war training games*, not the real thing. What the men and women in uniform are giving up for us to be secure is beyond putting a price tag on. They've done it all along, but we don't see it until something major happens that draws them into the spotlight. It's not easy for the family that stays here while the military member is in another country, either. I know when my husband was in Saudi Arabia for a few months, from December 1995 thru March 1996, I missed him terribly. They sent him right before Christmas. I knew he would be okay, as there was not a war going on. But can only imagine how the families feel now, knowing theirs are in a real war. These men and women are heroes in every sense of the word. I still get goose bumps when I hear *The Air Force Song* and think of an F-15 taking off in full burner. You can feel the rumble from the engines as the jet leaves the runway and it's awesome. I know some people were opposed to our military going over to Afghanistan and Iraq, but really, we had no choice. Not once we were attacked on our own soil. The country needs to continue supporting our men and women in uniform, and keep their families in their thoughts as well. |
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Back in 1988, I was able to go to Washington DC at Christmas when I lived in Virginia. Although it has nothing to do with 9/11, I wanted to put up this picture because I remember the feeling I got when I stood before it then. It was a feeling of sadness, yet serenity. It was very moving and I noticed that everyone who came up to the grave became silent as it touched them in their own way. This is the Eternal Flame that burns continuously at JFK's gravesite in Arlington Cemetery. The other night on television they were discussing a memorial for where the Twin Towers once stood, and this image came to my mind. Maybe if we can all keep that eternal flame of hope burning inside of us, we'll be okay. . .we'll never forget, but we can try to make the future for the 9/11 babies and other children a less fearful and a much safer place to live. |
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"Let every Nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty" --John F. Kennedy-- ~*~ "We will not waiver; we will not tire; we will not falter; and we will not fail. Peace and freedom will prevail." --George W. Bush Jr.--
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Favorite Songs America, Why I Love Her by John Wayne (If you haven't heard this one by John Wayne, you should. It'll make you feel so inspired. The first time I heard it was while driving to take my daughter to school a day or so after the attacks. Some men on a road crew had an American Flag up along side the road and this song was playing on the radio as I passed the flag. Ever try to drive while you're eyes are tearing? But I loved the song.) Where Were You by Alan Jackson (This song is truly an inspired work by Alan Jackson.) |
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A link to a tribute page
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http://www.nationalparks.org/flight93/default.asp This link above is to a site where you can make a donation to help fund a National Memorial for the heroes of Flight 93, who lost their lives in their attempt to retake the plane from terrorists. There also is a movie that is available on DVD entitled The Flight That Fought Back that shows what may have happened onboard during the entire flight. It's based on witness accounts on the ground, in the air; telephone conversations, relatives' accounts and the cockpit recording of the final moments that only relatives of victims have been allowed to hear. We watched it on HDTV last night and it was an excellent movie. Puts you through all kinds of emotions, but it's well made.
Many tribute videos can be found on www.youtube.com
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Artwork |
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Chelsea drew this the first week after the attacks. The lower corner is before, upper is after. This was a 7-year-old's view. She was drawing flags on everything. Even drew butterflies with the flag on their wings. |
This is a painting my sister, Susan Tsoupakis, recently did. I wanted to share it.
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By Chelsea September 2001
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In Remembrance
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Rhymes and Reasons by John Denver
So you speak to me of sadness *This song is in no way related to 9/11. It just makes me think he would have written encouraging and thought provoking words such as this had it been around that time. It's just coincidence that it kind of fits the situation (in my mind). No copyright infringement is intended. |
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