September 11, 2001 - In Memoriam

I remember turning on my radio that morning as I watched the wild turkeys make their way through the tall grass on the hillside.

Then came the story of a plane having hit the World Trade Center just a few moments before.

I thought they meant a small plane.

When I started shaving, more details came through, and I thought "Christ!" and ran down stairs to turn on the TV.

I watched the second plane slam into the other tower.

It's strange how some things stick with you over the years and affect you on the anniversary.

May God bless the people who died that day, and may God bless America.

I leave you with the second verse of a poem, "In Memoriam" Alfred Lord Tennyson. The link will take you to the entire poem.

I think it does well to illustrate the honor, and humanity of those who made great sacrifices that day and where we, as a nation and a people, are this day.

I held it truth, with him who sings
To one clear harp in divers tones,
That men may rise on stepping-stones
Of their dead selves to higher things.

But who shall so forecast the years
And find in loss a gain to match?
Or reach a hand thro' time to catch
The far-off interest of tears?

Let Love clasp Grief lest both be drown'd,
Let darkness keep her raven gloss:
Ah, sweeter to be drunk with loss,
To dance with death, to beat the ground,

Than that the victor Hours should scorn
The long result of love, and boast,
"Behold the man that loved and lost,
But all he was is overworn."