Friday, September 11, 2009

Never Forget

A photo of the Twin Towers burning in New York City, taken from the borough of Brooklyn....unknown photographer.

Remembrances:

The FDNY Memorial Wall located on the side wall of Ladder 10 Engine 10 of the FDNY. It is located at 124 Liberty Street in Lower Manhattan.

Memorial to the firemen from Ladder 10 Engine 10 lost on 9-11-01

Memorial altar to some of the victims of 9-11-01 in St. Paul's Chapel, NYC.

A plaque for one of the many memorial trees growing in honor of NYC victims of 9-11-01

"Angel's Circle" memorial traffic triangle in Staten Island, NY

The "Tribute In Light" memorial lights where the twin towers once stood, as seen from New Jersey - unknown photographer.


9-11-01
The beautiful blue September morn

turned black with smoke and ash,

and as we watched, thousands of souls perished,

and horror and chaos reigned.

Millions of tears fell as we saw

- a second plane,

- the Pentagon on fire,

- a burning crater in a Pennsylvania field.

Hearts were broken, sad, angry, outraged, fearful, confused, unbelieving, vengeful.

Photos on NYC walls ....MISSING....The black hole left in the Pentagon.....the recounted words of "Let's Roll" on flight 93....

... and then the unbelievable reality sets in.

American Flags went up, volunteers came, prayers were said, candles were lit, "God Bless America" was sung, "Never Forget" was the firm resolve.

But now, eight years later, have we forgotten?

Has time faded the memory of those who do not miss the sight of the tower's shadows because they do not live in New York? Does a repaired fully functioning Pentagon in Virginia or a new memorial in Shanksville,PA heal all wounds?

In a hundred years from now will someone say of 9-11: "I never knew that!" or "Who cares about something that happened so long ago?"

History was written that day, yet memory soon fades.
In the past, the world has seen great civilizations crumble, nations lose power, war after war fought, new events take precedent over the old, as time marches forward.

Today we remember 9-11,
and we hope and pray that someday hatred ends, understanding begins, education informs and stereotypes can be overcome.

May it never happen again -- here, or anywhere else in the world.
May peace and unity become the legacy of 9-11-01
and may we never forget the price of freedom.

42 comments:

Joanne Kennedy said...

Oh Pat! I will be one that never forgets.

When I was in NY I went to ground zero. It broke my heart to see the towers missing from the sky line. It wasn't the same as the last time I was in NY.

Sadly it does seem like as the pain is lightened with time people are forgetting. Or at least it doesn't seem to be on their mind as it was.

Sept 11th was my mothers birthday. So now my heart breaks for two reasons on this day.

I missed seeing the angels circle when I was there but I'm coming back in Spring so I hope to be able to see it then.

Big hugs,
Joanne

Unknown said...

Thank you Pat, war is something that I can never understand. The need to take away someone else' life just because of the difference in belief or religion. I hope it never happen again for everyone sake. Happy weekend Pat, hugs..........M

Gracie said...

Beautiful poem Pat, thank you.

Anonymous said...

A beautiful tribute to 9/11 and the 3,000 plus people lost for meaningless differences.

Anonymous said...

My HS friend raised her son alone...no father...He just moved to NYC, excited about a new job in Twin Towers. The 1st plane took his life. How does she live with that??? I still grieve for her..
RIP Danny...
Marilyn

Southern Lady said...

A poignant reminder, Pat. Thank you for sharing those pictures and for your touching words. I don't understand how anyone who witnessed the horrific events of that day can ever, ever forget.

Joyce said...

Thanks for posting. Please say a prayer for Morty Frank's family, a young man who perished that day who was married for one year. My son grew up wearing Morty's hand me down suits and clothing. My son now puts on an army suit every day in memory of his friend Morty. It's like a scab on our hearts that is ripped open again on 9/11 every year. I now understand the term "Living Nightmare"!
Joyce

Edie Marie's Attic said...

Dear Pat,

Chris & I will never forget our tour of Ground Zero & the sweet little church that was the haven for so many. Being there took my breath away. My heart breaks for Vinnie's loss of friends & co-workers that lost their lives that day.

Thank you for a great post commemorating such a sad & changing day in our countries history.

Blessings & hugs to you & Vinnie,
Sherry

PAT said...

Beautiful tribute, Pat!

jeanne said...

Good morning Pat. I can only imagine the sadness in the air in NYC today. My sisters and I visited ground zero and fell privileged to see the wonderful memorial that has been put there in honor of those who lost their lives. I can't help but think of those left behind to grieve. the children who do not have both parents. I am so angry when I think of those terrorists. It just goes on and on. May God bless them on this day of all days. Your text is awesome on today's post.

Hugs...Jeanne

I posted a comment on your trip post too Pat. Loved it!

Arlene Delloro said...

Pat, thank you for a thought-provoking and heartfelt memorial. 9/11 holds a double meaning for me. In addition to recalling too keenly the chaos of that day, today would have been my parents' 61st wedding anniversary. Dad has been gone 26 years, but mom passed away just last year. It is a sad day.

Tracy said...

Hi, Pat...beautiful tribute for today... The heart still breaks, and the mind still can't comprehend how such madness could have happened that day... We will never forget all those lost souls... I've been posting today too, in a different way. :o) Welcome home, my frined..it's great to see you back here. Happy weekend ahead ((HUGS))

Sea Witch said...

Dear Pat: I knew you would have a moving tribute. This day will always be heartfelt and tearful for me. God bless you and those you surround yourself with. Sea Witch

Lorrie said...

Thank you Pat. As a New Yorker, I will never forget. September 11 is always tearful for me now...

dianasfaria.com said...

thanks for your important tribute.
I will never forget.
My brother-in-law is a NYC fireman and I thank God everyday that he survived & is alive.

{oc cottage} said...

Awesome.

m ^..^

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Thank you, Pat. This is such a tough day for me...as it is for so many others. I worked at one Liberty Plaza when they were building the Trade Center. I went to meetings there, had lunch with friends, dinners, and shopped. I commuted through the center when I moved to New Jersey. It was a big part of my life. I lost many friends and neighbors that day. It hurts just as much now as it did then. We will never forget.
♥, Susan

Carol Murdock said...

I will Never Forget the horror I felt that day seeing my homeland under attack !!

Junie Moon said...

A most excellent memorial tribute, Pat! I love the poem, such a poignant and thoughtful piece. I don't forget this day of infamy either.

Jenny said...

Dear Pat, I too posted a tribute on my blog late last night when I was remembering. Thank you for remembering. Thank you for your tribute. I think people are forgetting. And I'm glad wonderful, caring hearts like yours are there to remind them. Big hugs on a sad day.

Beverly said...

My heart is full.

Tracy Watier said...

Amen.
Thanks Pat.

Anonymous said...

Hugs Pat.

Judy said...

A moment in time we can never forget! This is such a meaningful tribute, Pat.

My hubby has a birthday today...so 9-11 is always a day we pause and look back.

Lori Skoog said...

This is an amazing post/tribute. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

bobbie said...

Thank you so much for this beautiful tribute.

Linda Lou said...

Thank you for reminding us to never forget....being a New Yorker, I prayed that no one that I knew had perished that day, yet so many of my relatives were touched by tragedy because of someone they knew...it is important that our children's grandchildren NEVER FORGET!

Elisa Day said...

Beatiful tribute. I will never understand what happened that day

Dianne said...

beautiful and haunting photos

the first one gives me chills

I live in NJ now but lived in Brooklyn for 47 years

I looked at your posts labeled Brooklyn, they are wonderful

I came here from Lily's LI Daily Photo

Anonymous said...

Wow...this is an amazing post! Thank you for sharing such a wonderful tribute. Here's hoping this day of rememberance will help to honor all those who lost their lives on that terrible day.

Unknown said...

Hi Pat,
I will never forget, and as I've mentioned before to you I can not imagine what it must have been like to live in NYC that day!

I've been really melancholy all day today...watching TV and remembering it all. We must never forget those that gave their life that day and what it meant for this country.

Glad you are back from your vacation.-loved you pictures-

I'm still struggling with my blog...can't seem to get back into it!

Take care,
Diane

Nola said...

Beautifully worded Pat! I have not been back to NY yet, since 9/11, but when I go again, I will be sure to visit ground zero and pay my respects.

GMG said...

Hi Pat! It won't be forgotten!!

Sorry for the long delay, but after one year work, I got my official week off and, as always, the week before was terrible and the return awful... ;). Furthermore, there was 09.09.09, which for me was a bit depressing, as I entered a Club 60 I would prefer to postpone the joining... ;))
I’ll try to find some more time in the coming week to enjoy your other posts!!

Blogtrotter is now in Turkey. Enjoy and have a fabulous weekend!

Claudia said...

There's a memorial garden in Roslyn NY. It honors my friend and others from that community. I will never forget and only hope the need for memorials ... some day ... is not needed anymore.

PERBS said...

I will never forget. . . and I live way out west in Vancouver, Washington! I will always remember how I woke up to my TV blaring (I had fallen asleep with it on the night before) just before the 2nd plane hit the towers. I watched all day. . . I cried all day and there's always a tear in my heart for all the lives lost so needlessly. Thanks for your post today. We had a short ceremony here in Vancouver too. We will never forget! I have a little post about this day also. . .

Sue said...

We have an obligation to never let anyone forget this day and the events that followed the attack. We as a nation need to stay united in the beliefs that we shall never be divided by any foreign power in its attempts to bring us down.

America suffered the loss of so many innocent souls in the buildings and on the plane that day in September. Brave first responders also lost their lives in the course of performing their duties. When I think of what the men and women who have chosen a career in public safety really do for us, I am in awe.They are willing to sacrifice so much for so little compensation.

My own son has chosen to be a police officer. He knows that he will never make a lot of money, but he has gone into the job for other reasons- he wants to help others.

The war on terrorism has taken its toll on the military, as well. The number of military injuries and casualties as a result of the war in the middle east is staggering.

Americans should be thankful for everything that the men and women in all the service professions are willing to do for us. We must continue to honor all of our fallen heroes and their dedication to our country. We should recognize the service of our active duty military personnel. We should thank our firemen and police for doing their jobs.

If we continue to chronicle the events of 9-11 and impress upon our children the importance of remembering what happened on that fateful day, this day will always be remembered.It is our job and responsibility to do so. And I, for one, have never been known to shirk a responsibility.

Your post was a poignant tribute to all who died or suffered eight years ago, Pat. Thank you for your thoughts and insight. Never forget...

Shellbelle said...

A moving tribute Pat. This is the second day I've been visiting blogs that posted about 9-11 and it just makes me proud that people are posting memories and tributes to the darkest day in the history of our great country.

I posted yesterday, but did a follow-up today after seeing something extraordinary on the news last night.

I hope you will stop by when you have the time.

New York Says Thank You

Magdalena said...

What a a beautiful post and tribute to all those souls and heros that perished on 9/11. Thank you for your kind words on my blog.
Bunny

jeanne said...

Hello Pat, thank you for your sweet comment today. Prayer is such a relief to us as we ask our Lord to bless the people who suffered from 9/11. I felt compelled to use prayer for my post today.

Hugs...Jeanne

Unknown said...

Pat, what a beautiful memorial! Thank you for sharing.

I'm having a give-away on my blog and I wanted to make sure you got in on it!

I've been neglectful in writing, but I'll get something sent out this week. Please know you're always on my mind!

Hugs,
Teresa

Sue said...

Hi Pat....wonderful post...my daughter was working and living in Manhattan but happen to have just come back home to Georgia for a short vacation..she refused to fly back home so we rented a car and I drove her back....We were able to go down to the site a week later and get within one block...right before they closed off the whole area to people...It was the most shocking thing I have ever seen....Massive was all I could think of....the heavy smoke in the air....I took many pictures and thought about posting them....something I will never forget....I hated to leave daughter and come back home....she will no longer fly....

GailO said...

That is a day that everyone will be able to remember exactly where they were and what they were doing at that hour...Although I have visited NYC several times since then I have never been able to summon up the courage to go to Ground Zero...I did see the sky lit up with the two memorial pillars of light and think they should be a permanent tribute...it was beautiful...