Eleven years later...

"There is sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love." 

~Washington Irving

In memorial of September 11, 2001    

Let us take a few minutes to remember the tragic incidents of September 11, 2001. On that morning four commercial airliners filled with passengers bound for destinations across the USA were high jacked by foreign terrorists. Those terrorists flew these high jacked airplanes over the next hour into Tower 1 and Tower 2 at the World Trade Center, New York City, New York, into the United States Military Headquarters at the Pentagon building in Washington DC, and after a courageous struggle put up by the passengers of Flight 93 the fourth plane was crashed into a Pennsylvania field. These acts resulted in all of the passengers and crews died, and thousands of innocent people on the ground were killed. Millions of Americans were affected by this act of terrorism; eleven years later we are suffering from and grieving these losses. The purpose of the terrorist attack was to break the spirit of our Nation and for our people to live in fear.

God had other plans and hearing the prayers from around the world determined to have good come out of this evil act. Through God’s help this tragedy brought out the best in New Yorkers as they worked together and cared for each other in ways never seen before. It brought out the best in the people of our Nation who worked together and cared for others in solidarity. It moved Americans to be aware of and support the military and first responders with an enthusiasm not seen – probably since WWII.  It moved us to think of each other and what’s best for our homeland. It was a wake up call that made us more appreciative of the freedom and safety we enjoy in this great country. It exposed the evil that exists in the world and opened our eyes to the dangers of ignoring that evil. It countered American apathy and replaced it with patriotism and a resolve to preserve the God-given freedom we enjoy as a Nation.  The memory of 9/11 serves to keep us vigilant to other threats against our homeland, culture, and peace. The memory prompts faithful people to continue praying and working for justice and peace.

Let us always remember the loved ones that we lost which include first responders – Fire, Rescue, EMS, Police, public service and government workers who without hesitation came to the aid of those in distress and lost their lives, and the pride that was bruised.

Please at this time observe a minute of silence in their memory which will be followed by a prayer.

60 seconds of Silence

Almighty God, we commend to gracious care and keeping all the men and women in our armed forces at home and abroad, all Police, Fire, EMS, and other first responders.  Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them;

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.

God bless America!  Thank you.

I.N.J.