I’m in a thoughtful mood today, remembering those who died in the attacks of September 11, 2001 and those who mourn them. The victims, of course, passengers and crew on those four airplanes, the men and women who perished in the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, but also the brave souls who did whatever they could to make an impossibly bad situation just a little better–like those aboard Flight 93, who physically overcame the terrorists, knowing they would still forfeit their own lives, to save others. Most likely, they saved the White House, too.
“Let’s roll!” These, my friends, are the words of heroes. And they invariably make me proud to be an American. Their equivalent in cowboy-speak would be, “Let’s get ‘er done!”
Then there are the first responders–many of whom died or were badly injured doing their jobs. As someone once said, you can recognize the heroes in any emergency–they’re the ones running toward the danger, not away from it.
All of them deserve our remembrance, our appreciation, and our greatest respect.
Most of all, they deserve what they fought and died for: an America that stands proud and unafraid and, of course, FREE. We must, as Winston Churchill so aptly said, “Move forward together.” To me “together” includes all Americans, Christians and Jews, Buddhists and atheists, and, yes, Muslims. It would be both dangerous and wrong to assume all followers of the Islamic faith are our enemies–the seeds of holocaust lie in such misplaced hatred and ignorance. Indeed, those things are our true foes.
As for the actual terrorists themselves–well, they LOSE. (I sometimes think, I confess, that the new World Trade Center should feature a giant middle finger, upraised, in honor of all who would attack our country, our citizens, and our way of life.)
You see, they wanted to change us. Bring us down. Break us.
How’s that workin’ for them?
We’re still flying flags, growing tomatoes in our backyards, enjoying countless ordinary but nonetheless precious liberties, hardwon by the brave and the free.
We’re still Americans.
We’re still strong, we’re still brave, and we’re still willing to roll up our sleeves and help out where needed. We are First Responders. Yes, we have problems as a nation and as a society; we always have, and we probably always will, because we live on Earth, not in heaven. (Yet.) What matters most, I think, is loving with our whole hearts, moving forward, putting one foot in front of the other, never giving up on ourselves, each other or our world in general.
I’m about to step down off my soapbox, folks, so bear with me for just another sentence or two. 
The old slogan bears repeating, my friends: Freedom isn’t free. Real people, with hopes and heartbeats, loved ones and dreams, homes and cherished pets, car payments and mortgages, pay and have paid the price, and sometimes the ultimate one, to preserve the rights we too often take for granted, and the currency is blood, sweat, toil and tears.
So, if you will, please stand with me in a moment of reverent silence, with gratitude in our hearts, and simply remember.
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Thank you. That was beautifully said.
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Everything you said was “spot on”. Amen to that. Let us all seek peace and unity and never forget those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Prayers for everyone today friends.
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Beautifully said Linda! And the freedom is more costly every year and harder won! God Bless Us All!
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Well said!!!
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You have done an elegant job of putting into words, which many can not, our thoughts and feelings. Thank you.
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As the sister, daughter and niece of Fire, Police, and Military men and women, I stand with you today and every day to honor the fallen, support the wounded, and thank those who daily put their lives on the line, thinking of others before themselves.
Thank you Heros, we will never forget tha freedom don’t come free.
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During my military time and while working for the federal government I had an chance to see first hand how people live in other counties. None of them came close to being as fortunate as we are to live in a free and wonderful country. God bless America. Just finished reading you latest book and enjoyed if thoroughly. Thanks for the excellent words in the book and your tribute above.
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“OMG” You are right on the mark. You said what a lot of us are thinking. You get on your soapbox anytime you want. Thanks for your thoughts on this day, and you go “cowgirl”.
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Best “speech” heard today.
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Well said Linda!! Best speech I have heard all day.
Thanks Ruby
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Well said. I am reminded everyday of what was. I live in NYC. I can see the new tower from where I love. I was also thinking of a co worker who lost a cousin who worked at the trade center. Freedom is given to us by those who gave their lives and those who continue on. Ppeace and love to all.
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Great memorial speech there, Linda. So true that freedom is not free!! Like the idea you had for the new WTC – HA!! I’ll only add that we must trust The Lord, no matter what happens. He is still sovereign over all.
Blessings,
SherryNan
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Truer words were never spoken. Thank you Linda for putting into words how everyone should be feeling today and everyday.
September 11, 2001 was a horrific day for the world. I lost a beloved aunt that morning. Aunt Babe had cancer and died at home just about the same time as the first plane hit the first tower. My aunt was a nurse for years before retiring, and several people told my mom and I that God called Babe home R that moment because he knew they would need help in Heaven for all the souls coming there. It is so hard to believe that it has been twelve years since that awful day.
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What’s the saying? “Grief is the price we pay for love”. It’s not just those victims who died that day but those that helped in the recovery who inhaled all the dust who got so sick. Not a great day at all.
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So well said – and we all need to Thank God and those who serve everyday for us to remain free!
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Thanks for remembering. For my husband, a veteran of the Vietnam era, and me, and especially my sons, former Marines and career firefighters, this is a day we will never forget.
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You wrote such touching words, and since I’m alittle off today remembering all the wonderful people I lost, they are in my thoughts today, I was the neighborhood babysitter in my home town in Highwood, Illinois, and 6 of my boys that I babysat signed up to fight for our freedom, 3 out of 3 didn’t come home to their love ones, so they are in my thoughts today for they were young and
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and had so much to live for, we all miss their smiles and their so fun-loving nature! We will never forget that day-God Bless you all and America!
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I am a New Yorker, and I remember that day well. I say AMEN and AMEN to all that you have said!
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Hi Linda, Thank you for remembering today 9/11 as I pray for them all too. I lost friends in the WTC and my friend lost a cousin in the Pentagon. As a Veteran who served this country it is heart wrenching to see all the pain in the faces of everyone. I also pray the Benghazi attack will not be hidden and the truth can be uncovered so these families will have some peace in their lives.
Darlene
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AMEN!
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AMEN!!!!!
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You summed it up beautifully. Thank you. God Bless the USA and all of its citizens on this day of Rememberance and all the coming days.
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Thank you for the wonderful words of encouragement on such a thoughtful day.
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I’m so in awe of the men & women who have gave their lives, have served or are serving to protect our freedoms. It is because of what happened today that my son volunteered to go and fight against terrorism in Iraq. While there he was injured and is now disabled. So everyday I thank God he’s still here. My grandson has joined the navy to pick up where my son left off.
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That brought tears to my eyes. May God continue to Bless America.
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You said it very well. God Bless us all.
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Amen!
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Don’t forget Benghazi one year ago (9/11/2012) We will never forget either one of those dates (9/11/2001 or 9/11/2012)
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The old saying of…”I couldn’t have said it better myself”…is true, as I could not have said it better myself.
Thank you, Linda, for all the great words for all of us.
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that was a ok. Best one I have read & hear today. We need to always remember those that gave their lives for us on that day and for the ones that goes from today on.
We still live in the best country there is even with everything that is going on. Yes, we need to remember our 4 brave men that gave their lives last year with no help from our government.
God Bless
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Well said, friend!
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I had never thought about it before, but have to agree, your “special feature” at ground zero would definitely warm many American hearts.
We must never forget those brave souls lost 12 years ago today, they are a part of our American history, whether they were born in this country or another, they still paid a high price.
May our strong nation continue to fight evil whenever and wherever it threaten us.
God Bless you Linda, and all Americans, on this day and everyday.
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Thank You Linda for the beautiful sincere tribute to all who suffered that day. As a country we need to remember always the price of freedom is steep and paid for us by the few who put their country before their safety and welfare. I pray daily for our military and civil servants who are always putting their lives on the line. I hope many others do also keep them in their prayers. Prayer and sacrifice are what our country are built on.
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This is why writers write–they can express what so many of us feel but cannot put into words, My exercise class held hands and had a moment of silence this morning.
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Amen. God Bless America.
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Very well said Linda and I will give you an AMEN!!!! Love the idea of the finger!!! Where’s the suggestion box??? LOL
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I agree with everything you said! Thank you for saying it in the right way. I would not change one word! We are so blessed to be Americans! We have the freedom to say what is on our minds. Thank you to everyone who fought and gave their lives to keep this the home of the free!!
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AMEN
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God Bless America!
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Amen. Your words leave me speechless.
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A tough day that will never be forgotten.
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Yes it is a time to remember the ones that gave there lives to save a lot more peoples lives here in the US right here on our soil. GOD bless the USA. Our HERO. GOD bless each and everyone.
As always your friend,
Norma
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Oh Linda I forgot to mention it earlier but I love the part about the giant middle finger. Lol you made my day.
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Well said, Linda, and may we always remember those who give of their lives for us everyday!
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Thank you for such a lovely memorial for all those who have lost someone on this horrible day. To remind us all that we are truly Americans and should be happy to be in this Country!! Those who were lost will never be forgotten….on the planes, in the towers and those who helped.
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That was well said. I have always said this, we live in a wonderful Country. They might try and bring us down, but we never give up and we never fail.
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Beautiful said. Please remember all those in the armed services. My daughter who serves in the US Army said this for today ” I’m so happy this year to say I have joined the fight in protecting the country that I love. *never forget*”
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So nice Linda… well said. Thank you for that.
Terry
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AMEN! Well said Linda.
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A beautiful tribute, Linda . . .
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Thank you Linda. I loved everything that you wrote. I am right there on the soapbox with you. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
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Thank you Linda, beautifully said and you can get on your soapbox any time. Thank you to all service people, police, firemen, doctors, nurses and our wonderful military. Also thank you to the families who lost someone on that day. God Bless you all.
P.S. I agree with the finger too
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Well said, Linda. You expressed what so many of us are unable to express. Thank you.
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Amen! God Bless America!!
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You said it all Linda.
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Well said. Amen.
Mary
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Amen!!! America – Love it or leave, but you’ll never find a better place to live.
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I couldn’t agree more. As a New Yorker who lived through it and the terror of the days after, I will never forget. I knew several people who died and I will never forget that they just got up and went to work like we all do and never made it back to their families. Just tragic.
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Exactly! As I posted on my facebook page, I will never, could never forget! For all the reasons you mentioned and for my own personal creed. It’s good to be reminded of the reasons for the pride of America – even in the horrific circumstance that brought it about.
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I will always remember a very brave fireman that survived the towers barely physical and scared emotionally. He was one of 2 firemen working together bringing people to safety. From the towers. In a split second the other fireman and people with him became part of the ash. The surviving fireman lived with serious injuries, physically after several surgeries he became addicted to pain medication. I met this wonderful survivor when he made the decision to come for help to as some would say, “kick the addiction.” He went thru the program and when he continued to have to have surgeries he took thr pain medication, but when he was cleared from surhery he would come back into treatment to get off the medication again. This is one of the Bravest people I know. I hope some day he writes a book.
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Thanks for sharing this story. Truly a brave man!
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thanks.
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My great niece is a Marine. She is 8.5 months pregnant. She was standing in formation yesterday (9/11) and her water broke. She was happy and sad at the same time because she didn’t want to have Ms Madelyn Joyce on this date but Maddy had other ideas. So we were all blessed with a happy event on such a sad anniversary. Welcome to the world Maddy!
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Congratulations!!! Welcome to the world Maddy!!!
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Well said, my friend, well said. I have nothing more to add.
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AMEN!!!!