NEVER FORGET- A REMEMBRANCE

On a day much like this one the day started like any otherfor New Yorkers and for the rest of the citizens of the United States and theworld, it was in fact a Tuesday too. In just a moment the country went fromcalm to shocked, from peace to terror and at the end of that fateful day welost so much more than two buildings and nearly three thousand lives we lostour innocence and perhaps our arrogance as well. In the aftermath of theattacks the country became united never mind what party you voted for, whereyou went to pray or what color your skin was, we were all Americans and we allmourned for our lost brethren and our loss of sanctuary.
But it didn’t end that day, it had just begun. Our men in uniform arecontinuing the fight against terror and we’re loosing our precious sons,daughters, wives, husbands, sisters and brothers in numbers that are always toomany if the number is one, we’re also loosing in too great a number those selflessfirst responders and volunteers that are falling victim to illnesses in theseyears following the clean up of ground zero.
On this the eleventh anniversary let’s take a moment to reflect to remember butalso to look forward, see not only evil around you but the beauty of cities,farmlands, mountains and oceans and of the hopeful faces of our sisters andbrothers of not only fellow Americans but our family of the human race. Take amoment to do one act of kindness, say one kind word, do one kind deed, lend ahand, give a hug or just listen to someone in need.
We should never forget what brought us to this anniversary, but we should notlet it makes us victims either, it should not dictate how we live or how welove. That is in our own hearts, it’s what makes us who we are, who we could beand who we want to be.
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL
Here is the original poem written by Katherine Lee Batesan English professor at Wellesley College in 1893.O beautiful forhalcyon skies,For amber waves ofgrain,For purple mountainmajestiesAbove the enameledplain!America! America!God shed His grace onthee,Till souls wax fairas earth and airAnd music-heartedsea!O beautiful forpilgrim feetWhose stern,impassioned stressA thoroughfare forfreedom beatAcross thewilderness!America! America!God shed His grace ontheeTill paths be wroughtthrough wilds of thoughtBy pilgrim foot andknee!O beautiful forglory-taleOf liberating strife,When once or twice,for man's avail,Men lavished preciouslife!America! America!God shed His grace ontheeTill selfish gain nolonger stain,The banner of thefree!O beautiful forpatriot dreamThat sees beyond theyearsThine alabastercities gleamUndimmed by humantears!America! America!God shed His grace ontheeTill nobler men keeponce againThy whiter jubilee!