Sunday, September 10, 2006

Where were you when . . .


September 11, 2001. A day that will go down in infamy.

It is one of those days that we will always remember. I will use this space to remember each of those who died that day. I will remember it by linking it to my own life. Otherwise, it will be just something that happened hundreds of miles away.

Where was I when the attacks happened? I was on my way to work when I heard that a plane had hit the first tower. As I got to work everyone was talking about it and listening to the radio. I believe the computers were tuned to the news as well. And then the day went on.

But since I am in the money handling business, it was no regular day. Many of the banks with which we did business closed their doors to the public. Some of them even closed to us. The uncertainty of what was happening in our peaceful world was so great that we didn't know what to do with all the information coming our way.

About mid-morning we got word over our two-way radios (on group alert) that the twin towers had collapsed. And then the announcement that the Pentagon had been hit. Estimates were upwards of 10,000 casualities since the attacks in NY came as people were already at work. We were "relieved" that the count was "only" at around 3000 when all the dust cleared.

After work, we were glued to the tv until late at night. The puzzle came together and we began to realize that we were at war. A war that may last until the end of the world as we know it.

And so, let us remember those that died, and the ones that risked their lives to save others. And let us not forget the nearly 3,000 that have died since in the battle against terror.

May God have mercy on us for we don't want His justice!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I decided to comment because of the number 3000, which you quote as the number of people who have died in the 'war on terror' since September 11, 2001.

Unfortunately this is the number I often hear from christian conservatives. Why wouldn't the Christians of all people, recognize and sympathize with the thousands of innocent and poor (economically poor) middle eastern women and children that have died due to the state of absolute chaos that now reigns within their borders as a result of the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan. I am not trying to say that the invasions were not justified, though I do feel that the Iraq war was a mistake.

I pray for everyone who is affected by the state of affairs throughout the world as a result of radical fundamentalism. I count a life as a life, regardless of nationality, race or religion. When discussing the 'war on terror' I feel it is important to remember all of those affected.

TN - I can't really freestyle...
I had to post as anonymous because I have upgraded to the BetaBlogger, and now can't comment on blogs created with the older version.

Henry Martin said...

Well, TN, thanks for visiting. Yes, I haven't forgotten the thousands of others, both civilian and military, that have died in the struggle since 9/11.

But let us not confuse the death to innocents to be at the hands of the allied troups (mostly American, actually). The death toll rises at the hands of terrorists who don't really care who their targets are. American, European, or local sympathizers, or just as likely just innocent bystanders. We are just "in the way." But we dare not withdraw for lack of a better arrangement.