9-11 We Remember

"Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)"

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day
Out in the yard with your wife and children
Working on some stage in LA
Did you stand there in shock at the site of
That black smoke rising against that blue sky
Did you shout out in anger
In fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry

Did you weep for the children
Who lost their dear loved ones
And pray for the ones who don't know
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
And sob for the ones left below

Did you burst out in pride
For the red white and blue
The heroes who died just doing what they do
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer
And look at yourself to what really matters...
...I'm just a singer of simple songs
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN but I'm not sure I can tell you
The difference in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith hope and love are some good things he gave us
And the greatest is love
The greatest is love

[source]
 
US Troops spelling out 9-11 We Remember[source]

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day?

 

Where were you? One September 11th, 2001 I was sophomore in high school.  I was living in North Carolina, and I remember we were in computer class and were filming a "teacher of the year video" for my computer teacher that day.  The librarian who was filming left the room for a minute and when he came back he told us what they thought had happened.  This was the first time I had even heard of the World Trade Center (I know, call me stupid).  It was totally surreal but somehow, I think everyone knew that our world, our country was forever changed.  We all sat, glued to the TV, fearful of what would happen next as the events  continued to unfold.  I remember going to my next class and the word had spread throughout the school.  My next class was US history and our teacher hypothesized about possible theories of what was going on and what might happen next. My first thought was if my dad was traveling that day and if everyone I knew was okay.

So much did, indeed change that day.  I cannot believe 9 years have passed and still, although not as somber, I feel the twinge of pain and the sick feeling in my stomach as I think about it and watch the images of that day play on the TV.  I can only pray that we have all learned from 9/11... something about the value of life, about pride in our country and coming together, about knowing that events like this can even happen in our country and we're not immune as we once thought (although still not live in fear).  I pray for the families who lost their loved ones on that day, whether in the planes, the sites that were hit, or those rescue workers who worked to save the lives of others.  I also pray for all those who have fought for our freedom since (and before, too) 9/11.  I know their lives were forever changed, even more dramatically that we can possibly imagine.  I'm so thankful we have them to defend our country.

One thing is for sure.  9/11 is and will always be a day of sadness, but still of pride for our country.  The terrorists may have shaken us (and took so many precious lives), but they also brought out the best in us (even if maybe a bit too short lived).