September 11th - Memories, Recovery, and Hope

[valhalla]

I'm posting this Shutterfly link today because I might be able to answer questions now.  I work in Arlington, VA - close enough to the Pentagon that I felt the plane hit (didn't know it until I saw the smoke).  Arlington Police, Fire, and Sheriff are First Responders for the Pentagon, since the Pentagon is located in Arlington.  I support the Emergancy Ops Center via IT.

We didn't have a Command Vehicle in 2001, but we do now - Big Red and she goes out for 2 Alarm and above.  I participated in provisioning Big Red the 1st time and during the recent refresh.  Perhaps something good came from that horrible day - I certainly hope so.  I have thousands of images, but I selected these few because I want to convey something positive.

When I got home on 9/11/2001, I changed my signature line to "God Bless America" and it has been that way ever since.

http://share.shutterfly.com/share/received/welcome.sfly?fid=1dc43b8312693f42&sid=2CasXDdwyYsdI

[MAK]

Thank you Janet!

[Kris G.]

Very nice, Janet.  Thanks.

[Donna]

Very nice, Janet.  Thanks.

  Wonderful album Janet.

[valhalla]

This was very difficult for me to put together - Flight 93 had one of the guys from my old neighborhood, watched the Twin Towers come up out of the ground, Father Mike married my sister to her ex and Baptised both her boys, my current Arlington status - this is the first time I've done anything like this since 2002 - I'm still crying...

[Carol P.]

Thank you so much for sharing these sad images Janet.  I know how hard that must have been for you.

We must never forget.   

[valhalla]

We must never forget.   

Sadly, you and I won't, but in Fairfax County, VA (we used their Command Vehicle) teachers are teaching 10-year olds something a bit different from what I lived up close and personal! "In Fairfax County, teachers de-emphasize the role of Islam in al-Qaeda's actions.  "We want to separate the events of 9/11 from any particular cultural or religious group."   Read it all here:

http://www.wmal.com/Article.asp?id=2279398

[valhalla]

Had to drive past the Canadian Embassy in DC yesterday.  There is a HUGE Banner that says, "Canada Remembers 9/11".  Thank you, my friends.

[Donna]

Had to drive past the Canadian Embassy in DC yesterday.  There is a HUGE Banner that says, "Canada Remembers 9/11".  Thank you, my friends.

YAY Canada!! 

[annieinelkhart]

Thank you Janet for sharing those pictures.  The happenings on 9-11 were so very heart wrenching to remember and for those to live through it right in "their own back yard".  I will NEVER forget that day and know my family will not either.  Such a tragic day in our history.  God Bless America and take comfort in the fact that it has made us more aware and maybe just a little more caring for our neighbors and surroundings.  I have a son  in the Navy since summer 2000,now serving on board the new George H. W. Bush aircraft carrier and I know They still fight to keep all of us as safe back here as they can.  I doubt there is a day that goes by that I don't think of that day and pray for the families that have had to figure out how to go on with their lives, minus some very important loved ones with them.

I agree "WE MUST NEVER FORGET"!

[Donna]

Thank you Janet for sharing those pictures.  The happenings on 9-11 were so very heart wrenching to remember and for those to live through it right in "their own back yard".  I will NEVER forget that day and know my family will not either.  Such a tragic day in our history.  God Bless America and take comfort in the fact that it has made us more aware and maybe just a little more caring for our neighbors and surroundings.  I have a son  in the Navy since summer 2000,now serving on board the new George H. W. Bush aircraft carrier and I know They still fight to keep all of us as safe back here as they can.  I doubt there is a day that goes by that I don't think of that day and pray for the families that have had to figure out how to go on with their lives, minus some very important loved ones with them.

I agree "WE MUST NEVER FORGET"!

God Bless your son Annie, we will never forget him and others who are serving our Country. Thank you!

[annieinelkhart]

Thank you Donna!  I sure do miss him!  It is lucky for us there has been this wonderful invention called email!  Saves this Mom's sanity sometimes with him so VERY far away!  My heart aches for those parents and loved ones who's Military child is "out in the field" and not available for internet.  So I count my blessings daily and say so many prayers for ALL of them out there fighting to keep us ALL safe back here on the home shores.

[valhalla]

I have a son  in the Navy since summer 2000,now serving on board the new George H. W. Bush aircraft carrier and I know They still fight to keep all of us as safe back here as they can.  I doubt there is a day that goes by that I don't think of that day and pray for the families that have had to figure out how to go on with their lives, minus some very important loved ones with them.

I agree "WE MUST NEVER FORGET"!

WooHoo!  One of my 2 favorite carriers! 

[valhalla]

Had to drive past the Canadian Embassy in DC yesterday.  There is a HUGE Banner that says, "Canada Remembers 9/11".  Thank you, my friends.

Let us not forget that it was our friends in Canada that took in our planes and the passengers when airspace in the USA was closed.  Thank You!

[MAK]

   Merci beaucoup Canada!