Morning Thoughts
Seventeen years ago, today, my life changed as an American. The morning of September 11, 2001 in Northern California started as any other work day. I was rushing to get dressed, eat breakfast, and get out the door. I had to drop my daughter off at school. I had to stop at the dry cleaners. I had to pick up a colleague. And I had to fight the regular commuter traffic to be at work on time.
My thoughts were focused on getting through my day. I was just about to turn off the morning news when the screen flashed in big red letters, “Breaking News.” I heard a commentator say gravely, “We interrupt this program…”
I didn’t suspect it was anything important, but I stopped to listen anyway. How wrong I was and how stunned I was.
The North and South Towers of the World Trade Center had been struck by separate planes. And it was no accident. We were under attack.
I was frozen. My jaw dropped open and a cold, terrifying fear ran up my back. I called my husband. I called my parents. I called my siblings. None of us could believe what we’d heard. And that awful fear that gripped me also gripped them.
Eventually I made it to work, but no work got done that day. Instead we huddled around the television watching that horrifying drama unfold. Helpless and frightened, we held each other and cried. What else could we do but watch?
And then the real fear set in. What if California was next? We could only pray.
What Happened?
Truly the day was a blur. But history has a way of recording itself. And today as I reflect on that awful tragedy I can turn to the facts of that day. Thanks to CNN we have the following timeline to remind us:
- 8:46 a.m. EST the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center
- 9:03 a.m. EST the second plane struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center
- 9:37 a.m. EST the third plane struck The Pentagon
- 10:03 a.m. EST the fourth plane crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania
- 10:28 a.m. The Towers collapsed
2,977 Americans were killed that day. Mothers and fathers. Sisters and brothers. Sons and daughters. All of them loved by someone.
America paid a horrible price day. The loss of life was immense. It was almost inconceivable.
When it was over our country grieved. And the world grieved along with us.
Our country needed to heal. We needed to rebuild. More importantly, we needed to remember.
How Does California Remember?
The West Coast was spared that day. Even so, we as Californians bear the pain and suffering of all those affected by this tragedy. We stand right alongside our brothers and sisters, and we share the process. To grieve, and to heal, and to remember.
In the capitol city of Sacramento, California stands the 9/11 Memorial Plaza. Created to help all people heal, it is dedicated to those 2,977 victims who lost their lives on September 11th, 2001.
Tucked into the heart of California’s busy Exposition Center the plaza is a quiet and solemn place. Most people who visit observe silence and respect.
The memorial is anchored by The Granite Fountain. The giant sphere is inscribed with the names of all 2.977 victims of the attacks.
Not far away is The Carillon Bell Tower. The somber bells ring only on each anniversary of September 11th.
Standing stark and harsh is 1,125 pounds of wreckage from the World Trade Center. It includes a massive I-Beam which was once the horizontal support of the North Tower.
It’s emotional and peaceful all at the same time. It helps us to heal. And it helps us to remember.
What This Memorial Teaches Me
Each time I see this memorial I am struck by the power and patriotism of our country. I am struck by its resilience and determination to go on.
As Americans we stand together. We grieve together, and we heal together.
Our loved ones may be gone from our lives, but they’re not gone from our hearts.
I believe God’s angels were with each one of the victims as they breathed their last. I believe they saw the face of God. And I believe God took each of them into His loving arms.
Those of us left behind continue to grieve and continue to heal. But we know that one day we’ll see our loved ones again.
Seventeen years ago our world changed. We must NEVER FORGET.