nothing big this year 9-11

[TheSp8]

Yes, complacency has always been a repeating problem with this country. While doing my physical fitness test this morning I saw an NCO stop his formation by the Post flag pole and give a quick speech about this day and why we serve. The part I was able to hear was pretty good.

When it happened I was driving from Ft Riley to Ft Leonard Wood to pick up a Soldier. I heard the whole thing over the radio. Called my wife to turn on the news and have our son see history being made so he'd remember.

YMOS,
Tony

[Larry124]

I’m glad to read this.

I thought about posting on this subject earlier today but I wasn’t sure if the subject might be viewed as political.
Now I see that if we cannot mention it here then what are we?

I saw President Kennedy shot, and both space shuttle tragedies, and remember where I was.

But nothing – nothing – was like 9/11.

On one occasion this summer I wore my USAK Firefighters Memorial tartan and explained the center stripes thread count to a firefighter.
Not only did he not mind my wearing the tartan even though I am not a firefighter, but he appreciated it.
And it brought tears to his eyes.

RIP to all of the victims, and best wishes to the survivors and to all of the personally and directly involved families.

[KFCarter]

At the theatre tonight the Savannah Philharmonic presented its 9/11 program.

Opened with Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man... a mixed honor guard unit of Savannah Chatham County Police, Fire and Sheriff's Dept. officers set the Colors as the piece ended... they left the stage to the beginning strains of Barber's "Adagio for Strings" Very few dry eyes.
But the program shifted to great American tunes with patriotic themes and ended with Sousa. The encore was a kick-a** version of "Stars and Stripes Forever".

We sold every single available ticket and could have sold hundreds more. We had as our guests over one hundred spouses of our deployed Ranger Battalion and Brig. Gen. Cucuolo, current Commander of the Third ID was a guest of honor.

Money was raised for our local chapter of the 200 Club, an organization whose objective is to provide immediate financial assistance to the surviving spouse and children of local law enforcement officers and firefighters who lose their lives in the line-of-duty while protecting our community.

No shortage of memory here.

[Highlander31]

I was glad to see this thread.

This morning (as I have on every September 11th) I spent a few minutes to think about and honor those who lost their lives as well as those who survived the attack. I think about the heroism of the passengers on flight 93, and of the first responders to the buildings in New York and the Pentagon. I offer a short prayer for those who must start everyday without their friends and loved ones, and those taking the fight to the enemy.

[longhuntr74]

Greetings from a defender of freedom in Afghanistan! I'm also glad to see this thread. I posted a comment or two to facebook last night about 9-11...I thought I'd share some thoughts here as well.

We had a small, simple remembrance ceremony here yesterday in honor of all those that have answered the call. As a part of this service, they read President Bush's State of the Union Address delivered to Congress on 20 September 2001. I remember watching this address on the television. I bet a fair number of you Americans on here also remember. There was a standing ovation and roaring applause throughout the entire Congress about every 3-4 sentences. For the first time since probably 1941-1945 we were truly a country united. Eight short years later we have all but forgotten. We are a country torn between democrats and republicans; between socialism and democracy. Our will to fight has waned, yet Soldiers are still dying almost daily. I fear that we have lost our way again...

Of course I do, and will always, remember where I was when I heard the news. The memory I would like to share now with you, however, is a different one that still gets me choked up whenever I think about it. I remember as I watched it I had tears in my eyes...and I share this in appreciation for our allies and friends around the globe.

I'm pretty sure it was 12 September 2001...I was watching the news more than normal...as were most other Americans. One of the stories broadcast that day was the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace. The Royal Family was in attendance. There was a wreath laying ceremony to honor all of those that lost their lives the day prior and as part of the ceremony they hoisted the American flag and played the Star-Spangled Banner over the Palace in a show of solidarity and a common loss. I was deeply touched by the support and will always remember that broadcast.

[Larry124]

...between socialism and democracy.

I respect your service.
But on this anniversary especially why did you have to say that?

[longhuntr74]

I don't see how the day of the week matters...but if my comment about our political struggles distracted you from the main point of my post, my apologies. Please don't focus on any implied political editorial there...my point there was simply that we are currently a nation divided with a very uncertain political, economic, and social future and that I wish we could find a common cause and purpose. I didn't mean to incite political debate.

[BoldHighlander]

There isn't a day that goes by that I don't remember a good friend, a very young father, who had just started a new job at the WTC not long before, when he lost his life that tragic day.

I will never forget him, my good compadre's brother lost in the Pentagon, or all the other lives lost that day 8 years ago.

[Jock Scot]

I suppose as time moves on, those awful events start to loose the sharp painful thoughts and memories, as they should for most of us. The need for large, very painful for some, events to commemorate that dreadful day do and have obviously done so, need to scale down. That does not mean for one second, that we have forgotten.

[###KILTEDKIWI###]

Was serving in the RNZN at the time, 4 days before my wedding day, came out in the early morning and saw this on TV and enquired what movie it was...needless to say, stunned silence and dread ensued.

Unfathomable.

There were ceremonies here in NZ remembering the day.(release of doves by firemen here etc)

Great to see your President, standing in the pis@ing rain, talking and acknowledging relatives, very heartening stuff.