A Day of Remembrance: 9/11

I was considering titling this blog “Rants and Raves” but that wouldn’t be completely accurate considering there are some times I post things that don’t drive me crazy and this is one of those times. 

Today is a special day.  It is a day of remembrance.  But what should we remember?  I’m writing this on September 11, 2011.  It's been ten years since the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil. Ten years ago Muslim extremists and “cowards" inexplicably hijacked four commercial airliners with intent to destroy American life and lives.  

Two planes were flown into the Twin Towers in New York City, one was flown into the Pentagon in Washington D.C. and the fourth spiraled out of control landing in a field outside of Shanksville, PA.  The fourth might have headed right for the White House or the U.S. Capital building if it hadn't been for some unbelievably courageous individuals on the famed Flight 93 that stormed the cockpit overtaking the hijackers and preventing what could have made a horrible day even worse.  Unfortunately, they all passed away but it was not in vain – they sacrificed their lives for the benefit of possibly many others and moreover, in defense of their beloved country.  I believe they will be rewarded in heaven for that sacrifice. 

 
I was in Peru at that time as a missionary.  I had just eaten breakfast and my companion and I were heading out to go teach when a friend who lived in the adjoining home told us to hurry and come up because we “had to see" what was happening.  We didn't watch T.V. as missionaries but I had a feeling that it would be OK.  We went upstairs and I'll never forget that moment.  My mouth dropped to the floor and I was left speechless.  I was shocked as I watched video of Twin Towers on fire with gray smoke billowing from the building.  "What is going on," I thought, "what is happening?"  Then I saw video of an airplane crashing into the other tower.  I don't know if what I saw was live or a replay but nonetheless it was incredible and unforgettable.  In the ensuing moments and days my heart swelled with patriotism for America and heartbreak for the victims. 
  

The months that followed were strange and unique for me.  I remember walking through the market of a town I was in and seeing the headline of a newspaper saying that the U.S. invaded Iraq.  I remember hearing of anti-American rallies in the surrounding towns.   All of the American missionaries were eventually withdrawn from the smaller villages and towns to keep us safe.  I remember visiting one of those small towns one day for a meeting and just across the street in a park there were a group of people demonstrating and protesting America's actions.  It was crazy.  Fortunately, for me, I was kept safe during my time in Peru.

I was not able to follow the headlines for the duration of my time as a missionary but I heard of the patriotism that swelled out of that incident.  More importantly I heard of people turning to God and to faith.  Church attendance was up shortly following the attacks.  People turned to prayer and family now more readily and often.  People realized how fragile life is and that we are only players on this stage for a short time.  I think people looked toward what is really important in life: Family and God.
 

And fittingly, there was even a National Day of Prayer a few short days after the attacks.  The words spoken by the president, I think, were very appropriate:

         "America is a nation full of good fortune, with so much to be grateful for, but we are not spared from suffering.  In every great generation, the world has produced enemies of human freedom.  They have attacked America because we are freedom's home and defender, and the commitment of our Fathers is now calling of our time.    

On this national day of prayer and remembrance, we ask Almighty God to watch over our nation and grant us patience and resolve in all that is to come. We pray that He will comfort and console those who now walk in sorrow. We thank Him for each life we now must mourn, and the promise of a life to come.
 

As we've been assured, neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities, nor powers nor things present nor things to come nor height nor depth can separate us from God's love.  May He bless the souls of the departed.  May He comfort our own.  And may He always guide our country.  God bless America.”
 

          I believe this is a special land.  This is a country founded by the hand of God through men divinely inspired and prepared for just that reason.  This is a land of freedom and liberty for all but it is up to us to keep it that way.  I'll repeat the words I wrote at the beginning.  What should we remember on this day of remembrance?  I know what I should remember and I think most Americans do to.  God Bless America!