We are dedicating this page to the friends and families of
those killed or injured during the cowardly attack on an innocent American
civilian population on 9/11/01; also to the rescue workers and volunteers who
have given so much of themselves to help during this tragedy - some have given
all.
"When you find yourself the victim of other peoples bitterness,
ignorance, smallness or insecurity, remember things could
be worse...you could be them."
Dear Friends, September 11,2001 is a day we will as a nation remember. Like during Pearl harbor, the Apollo deaths,
the Challenger explosion we will remember where we were.
Tuesday I was at Staten Island. I watched in horror as the first plane dove into the WTC buildings.
With shock and dismay I stood there unable to help or move. Then a few minutes passed until we were able to
hear the faint sounds of emergency crews responding to the crisis. Hope for the survivors filled my heart.
Then the second plane came crashing in and a wave of nausea rolled over me, my knees grew weak. I watch
from Staten, a place I considered my home, flames belched from the second tower. Tears clouded my eyes
and made it hard to see.
Later I over heard someone say that another plane had crashed in Washington killing more. Another
hijacked plane had crash in Pennsylvania. Four planes in all.
Then before my eyes the towers collapsed like a glass house trapping rescue workers and victims alike,
still I was unable to help. I was at work and could not leave. Anger and sadness grew inside as black
smoke rose from the wreckage and yet I could not help those who were trapped.
That's when I realized that these madmen were succeeding if they were able to stop me from doing my
job what I had been placed on the island to do. storing my anger and sadness away I return to my
duties.
And as I stood there unmoving, I held my torch higher, my back grew straighter, and my crown
glistened in the sun.
What is my job you ask? I am the Statue of Liberty and I welcome all who come to this country
seeking peace and freedom. I am also a symbol to all those who have died to keep that beacon alive. I now
count those who perished on September 11 ,among those honored souls. I will always stand here as a symbol of
their sacrifice and loss.
My fellow citizens join me by helping me bear the torch of freedom to all who wish for it and by
standing tall in the face of adversity.
in God we trust,
Lady Liberty
From Barbara of Heart of Gold
A very special thank you goes out to those passengers on United Airlines Flight 93, who faced terrorism head on and saved the United States from one more devastating attack. The men named in this feat of extraordinary heroism were Jeremy Glick, Thomas E. Burnett Jr., and Mark Bingham. To their families, America owes a debt which can never be repaid. The entire nation thanks you and shares in your loss.
From Pat of Heart of Gold
From: Cathie
Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2001 3:04 AM
Subject: My Thoughts
September 11, 2001 is a day that will live in our minds and hearts forever. A very sad day for all Americans as we watched in horror the senseless loss of so many lives. But as Americans we did not falter.... Everyone of us united together in whatever way we could showing our compassion, prayers, love and support for those souls and their families just as many of our forefathers have done before us....
From the beginning of our claim to freedom Americans have stood together with strong belief in the right to freedom of choice, freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of religion, freedom from oppression. Our history proves our beliefs to be truth. We acknowledge this freedom comes with a price. Americans have fought many battles at the
home front and on foreign soil so that we and our children and grandchildren may continue to live with freedom.
As an American I do not condone any terrorist activities and/or attacks on our great nation. I especially do not condone the cowardly attacks on our innocent citizens. I cannot change what has happened but I can stand up and show these cowards I am not afraid. They cannot make me cower to their acts for I will continue to hold my head high and proudly go on living as a true American.
I will not allow even one of those people to die in vain. They are now like the multitude of soldiers we have lost through wars to live forever in our minds and hearts. I cannot fathom what they endured in the aircrafts, but they knew their fate was imminent. Therefore they then became casualties of an act of war. They became American heroes in my mind.
As for the lives lost at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon I consider each of them to be victims of this act of war. They like all of us left for work that day like they do all the time - free of any fear of oppressive attacks. Then to add to this devastating tragedy all the men and women emergency workers, firefighters, police, etc who gave their lives trying to save these people. Again I say these people are American heroes in my mind.
My father-in-law, husband, and son had all proudly served with the United States Marine Corps. They have one symbol that covers my feelings of our great nation and that is "Semper Fideles" which translated means "Forever Faithful". Let anyone try to change that and they will be defeated.
Love, Peace and Unity to All
Cathie
From Lady Aries - Heart of Gold
Page 14 - 911 Memorial
