Maxine's Story
Terrorists Attack on America
September 26, '01
A difficult assignment this! What were my feelings on September 11, 2001? To write about that day means remembering---not only that day but also all the days following and tears start again---the tears shed and the tears inside, unshed, and ever so much more painful.
Beware the very early morning phone call! I always suspect that the voice at the other end will have something to say that isn't necessarily what I want to hear! Yet when that voice is your dearest friend there comes immediately a measure of comfort in the sharing---even of such devastating news. United States airliners attacking New York City! And the Pentagon in Washington D. C.! NO. NO. My mind won't accept that. The television set provides me with proof. NO. I've seen these kind of things before---they are called bad, bad movies---and I want to turn off the TV---go back to bed---pretend that my world isn't being violated by some evil so foreign to my thinking process that I don't know what to think. Shock I suppose it is called. Shock that is with me yet---and with millions of other Americans I suspect. Our world, forever changed and we have no clear idea of who the enemy is---of where they are, or how they can be dealt with, even now. The anger---the fear---the frustration! The heartache and the pain I feel for the victims and their families. The anxiety and the dread I have for my children and grandchildren who will ultimately be the ones who will have the responsibility to eradicate this cancer from the world. Then the pride in our leaders who immediately stopped petty political bickering and began to take the necessary steps to bring about safety in our world and justice to those who perpetrate such evil deeds. And surely the pride for my fellow citizens. Patriotism, always close to my heart, has become fashionable again! It is more than O.K. to wave our flag---it is expected! In whatever venue we choose!
I have never been more proud to be a citizen of the United States of America. "One Nation Under God, with Liberty and Justice for All". Countless men and women have paid the ultimate price for that liberty and for the freedoms we sometimes take for granted.
My generation was a witness to the "day of infamy", December 7, 1941, when an aggressive government attacked our country. There is not one of us who would have ever wanted out children to experience the aftermath of that attack. Now here we must face a terrorist attack---with the possibility of more attacks to come---unable to predict---or protect! Thanks to our media, we are witness to the results of unthinkable evil.
Yet we are also witness to incredible acts of honor, integrity and courage. I will never see a fireman again without feeling awe and respect. These are the men who run to the flames even while we run from them.
My head in the sand will no longer protect me. I have to cope with this. During the first few days after the attack, when all airflight was suspended, the jets that woke me in the night brought a rush of tears as I realized that our military was watching over us! Young men and women in uniform, prepared to defend and protect our nation with their lives if necessary. It hurts to remember---but we cannot forget. "God Bless America"! Yes---we can say it! We can even pray if we want to. We can call upon our Deity to sustain us and protect us. We find our relationships with family, with friends, and with our neighbor infinitely more precious. Our 'me first' attitude has almost disappeared. We volunteer---we give and we support. We reflect and we recommit. This, our darkest day, may yet, somehow become our finest hour.
GOD WILL BLESS AMERICA!
Pages 69 - 70
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