September 11, 2001
A day that will always live in infamy.
A day that America was attacked.
I remember where I was that day. We were on the way to school when the breaking news came across the radio. We were passing through the intersection of Galley and Academy in Colorado Springs. It’s crazy how vivid that memory is. I remember pulling weeds as we were getting ready for a conference at church and a teacher had pulled his vehicle up so that we could listen to the news on the radio.
Every 9/11, I think of that day. Where I was and how I felt as a young teenager. I was sad for all the families who lost loved ones that day. I was mad that my country had been attacked. I was proud to be an American. Those feelings haven’t changed as I’ve grown older. I love my country!
Here is a poem written by a friend that I would like to share with you today.
Never Forget
It’s September 11th, a bright, sunny day
But in a few short hours it will turn a dusty grey
In New York City, where never a moment is dull
People start their busy workdays as usual
A wife hastens as her husbands coffee she pours
Then dad quickly kisses the kids and runs out the door
People are everywhere, they’re flooding the streets
The subways are full, there’s not one empty seat
But no one is prepared for the events that will unfold before their eyes
For they will watch as a part of this great nation dies
America will stop and everyone will stare
At the empty space where two towers are no longer standing there
Our great country is under a fatal attack
And many will lose their lives trying to fight back
Brave men and women will be lost to this act of terrorism
And families will suffer in the darkness of pains prison
Sirens and horns throughout the city blare
Scared and confused people run away from the chaos
Fire trucks and ambulances appear from everywhere
But for many it’s too late and their lives they have lost
People call their loved ones to say their goodbyes
And through it all they beg each other not to cry
Husband and wife repeat the words, “I love you”
And he says through the tears, “Tell the kids daddy loves them too”
She clutches the phone tightly to her ear, breathing in his every word
But soon the line goes dead, and on the other end nothing but static is heard.
She drops the phone and falls to her knees
And through heavy sobs she begs God and pleads
At this moment there are thousands of questions but not one answer
Fear and pandemonium spread through our hearts like a cancer
Lady Liberty hangs her head and cries
At the scene of flames and smoke rolling towards the skies
In only a few short hours a whole nation is brought to its knees
And for the loss of so many innocent people, America grieves.
Tears are shed, and families torn apart
America helplessly watches in disbelief and with aching heart
But the haunting question is, “Will we survive?…
Will this be the end of the stars and stripes?”
We are answered by three firemen standing atop a mount of debris
They are hoisting up our flag and it waves proudly!
This place they call Ground Zero
Will forever be a grave to many a brave hero
Let us never forget that tragic day when our America looked death right in the face
And realized we could only pull thru by His grace.
So I bow in thanks to those who laid down their lives
Fighting for my freedoms and my rights
And to those who still fight for those same freedoms today
I owe to you a debt I could never repay.
-Cherish Miller
Counted Faithful 