Remembering 9/11

I couldn't let this day pass without some remembrance of this tragic day 10 years ago. 

My mom called and told me to turn on the news.  I was getting ready for work.  We watched together in silence as events unfolded on the screen in front of us.  I woke my husband up.  I didn't want to go to work, but I did.  I worked in the administrative area of a municipal fire department.  The natural comraderie of the fire service was amplified beyond normal.  I felt somewhat useful as our department geared up a team to send to Ground Zero for search, rescue and,eerily earlier than normal it seemed, recovery efforts.  They came home with memories, stories and pictures that warmed the heart and chilled the soul at the same time. 

I lived nowhere near the targets where nearly 3,000 people died that day. I know not one person who perished in those attacks. But I felt the fear, terror and complete sadness of that day. Certainly not like those who were touched first hand with the grief, but I felt it. I watched the footage and cried with America and others. I was hopeful that there would be lots of survivors rescued from the rubble. Worried for those doing the rescue/recovery. Uneasy. Mournful. Mad. Sad. Disgusted.

I read something interesting earlier today that I'll paraphrase here.  While we remember today the horrors of September 11, 2001 and pay tribute to all involved and the hope that sprung from it, let us also not forget to move forward free from blind prejudice and hate.  That struck a chord with me.

Check out this "Sept. 11 Then and Now, In One Word" from NPR.org. You can participate, it's easy, I did it. You'll be prompted to write one word describing how you felt on September 11, 2001, and one word describing how you feel today, September 11, 2011. I spent a lot of time on this, both with how I felt then and now, but also scrolling over the words and seeing how others felt/feel.

Many thanks to the military men and women who serve to protect the freedoms we enjoy.  To those who did not come home that day 10 years ago.  To the survivors.  To the grieving family members and friends.  To the law enforcement, fire personnel, EMT's, paramedics, clergy, volunteers of all varieties and anyone I missed who deserves it.  I'm remembering and paying tribute today and will never forget.