I remember, a sky so blue it burned your eyes to look up . . .and smoke that scarred your lungs; I remember shipmates . . . and a piece of notebook paper listing for whom the bell had tolled; We remember that for one brief moment it wasn’t New Yorkers, or Washingtonians, or businessmen [...] [...]
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Ten years ago, a couple of weeks from now, I emerged from a burning, shattered Pentagon to a scene of utter chaos in South Parking, jammed cell lines and what soon became a traffic jam bordering on the Apocalyptic. Today, while much further to the south of DC, but actually closer to the quake’s epicenter, [...] [...] Sometimes a picture really is worth a thousand words: [...] “We Remember…” With those two, simple and profound words, an extraordinary project was launched three years ago — 2006. Prior to the observance of the 5th anniversary of the attacks by Islamist terrorists on the US, a private citizen had an extraordinary idea of how to memorialize those who were lost. Bringing together members of [...] [...] The sun has long since set – but in the darkened, borrowed office I notice little beyond the pale circle of light on the desk in front of me. Before me is list of names, some scratched out, many not. The hand that just hung up the phone is now cradling my head – throbbing [...] [...] Remember 9/11? Remember the loss of the WTC and 2,750 workers, firemen, policemen and first responders? Remember how in the shattered concrete and twisted steel of the aftermath we swore to rebuild in the same place something that would defy the evil that brought the towers down? And how we called it Freedom Tower? Well, [...] [...] “We claim this hallowed ground for peace and for healing. We claim it in affirmation of our strongest belief as a people: that every life is precious.” – Robert S. Gates, Sept 11, 2008 An unbelievable and memorable day – and those words hardly do justice. I was there for the re-dedication ceremony of the [...] [...] Some number of years ago I had the honor of making the acquaintance of a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor. A young seaman then stationed on the battleship Nevada, he related his story, his memories. And as he talked about the aching beauty of that peaceful Sunday morning – of standing at quarters [...] [...] |
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