Septemer 11: The 14th anniversary

14 years.  It's getting harder and harder to remember our country before that date.  Remember life before we had to  get to the airport 2 hours before, take off your shoes, only be able to carry 3 oz of fluid on board.  It's hard to remember not having to be scared of any backpack, anything left sitting anywhere in public, going through metal detectors into any large venue. 

Do you remember the news before talks of war, and brave soldiers killed in action, or PTSD wasn't mentioned at least once a week, and sometimes every day? 

The local ABC news had more about local memorials than World News, which said almost nothing.  As fewer and fewer people go out of their way to mark the day there is one phrase that is repeated: Never forget.  People may not have forgotten, but they don't seem to feel anything is required as a mark of honor or respect of that day, and what has come since.  I disagree with that.

We need to pay homage not just to those who died that day, but to the 10s of thousands who have died because of that day.  We need to remember, so that it never happens again.  We need to remember, so that our innocence and naiveté doesn't risk more lives. 

Today was one of the few days that I worked, doing stress tests.  My former employers begged me a few months ago to be able to work as a P.A. every once in a while, when there are too many people on vacation or someone gets sick.  I enjoy it, but am exhausted to the point of nausea.  Unfortunately this was one of the days they needed me to work.  As I have for many years, I wore a bright red top and navy pants with my white lab coat.  On my lapel I wore something put together soon after 9/11: a red, white and blue ribbon with memorial FDNY & NYPD pins.  No one said anything. 

After resting for a couple hours I just lit a single candle in the center window of the front porch.  This tradition started several years ago, although I suspect few people register it.  As I still don't have a flag holder up, or the ability to get  a flag up  there, it seemed something that I could do every year. 

In Memoriam

 

To all those lost at
WTC & The Pentagon

To the brave passengers and crew of
Flight 93

who were the first Americans to fight back against the terrorists

To those who knowingly made the ultimate sacrifice

FDNY, NYPD &  PAPD

and

 

to those whose efforts then are leading to their deaths now

WE WILL NEVER FORGET

 

Blessed be to all,   Laurie