It's Patriot Day ... Remember?

SPONSOR: www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-joe-ledford-03407421/ Lk 6: Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for the Kingdom of God is yours...Blessed are you who are now weeping, for you will laugh...Rejoice and leap for joy on that day! Behold, your reward will be great in heaven."

PHOTO: https://www.metro.us/news/local-news/new-york/nyc-911-memorial-anniversary-ceremony-2019-lower-manhattan-street-closures-live-stream

We still remember. All of us who are old enough, anyway.

There isn't an American who will not, at the very least one time during this day, think or utter the phrase, "I remember where I was that morning..." or words to that effect.

We all know. The NYPD officer in that photo above sure knows. The pain on his face from nearly two decades of mourning the single greatest act of terrorism ever evoked on our soil is still as plain and clear as a bright, sunny September morning in the Big Apple.

We know exactly where we were and what we were doing when we saw and/or heard the news.

Me? I was making my AM pot of coffee after having been awakened by a busy 20-month-old several hours prior. Still in his light-blue, footed PJs and stinking cute as a cherub (I never thought buttons were all that?); my little man was zipping around the family room yelling, "Barney, Mommy! I watch Barney now?"

I remember laughing as I caught sight of him dancing about, video in hand, and ready for some serious toddler TV. It was the last time I laughed for a quite a while.

Because shortly thereafter, I heard Matt Lauer say that a dramatic scene was unfolding at the World Trade Center ... that it appeared as though a small commuter plane had accidentally crashed into one of the famous Twin Towers.

So, I stopped putting grounds in the filter (this was pre-Keurig machine) long enough to turn around and look at my TV screen. Somehow, it was just in time to see the second plane hit the other tower...LIVE. It took me about four minutes to process that I wasn't watching a video replay.

Oh, I remember. I recall expressly how my little boy, happily clueless to the fact that our nation was under a terrorist attack, jumped about and, having given up on Barney, began to inquire instead about "Blue's Clues."

I remember grabbing him and holding him so tightly he wriggled to get away from me. I remember being terrified of the world we'd brought this beautiful young life into...

I remember wondering if I should go scoop up my niece and nephew from school and daycare for my sister, who was in her office when it happened. I remember praying for peace at a special Mass held at my parish that night. 

I remember NOT SMILING about anything as the days and weeks unfolded...and being distraught about what would happen next and where and how; especially after failed copycat suicide missions (remember that idiotic underwear would-be bomber?) popped up and anthrax-riddled letters began arriving in mailboxes.

Mostly, I remember the aftermath. It was a sheer outpouring of LOVE FOR ONE'S FELLOW MAN. There was a surge of American patriotism that rose from those ashes in NYC, Washington, D.C. and Shanksville, PA.

I remember how we treated each other with kindness, respect, dignity, and compassion. And that, my friends, is my hope for America today...and everyday.

​Also, I hope we never forget:

-This tragedy's victims, especially those fighting for their lives with lung diseases acquired through efforts to help at the plane crash scenes (most in NYC) and those who have to grow up without a parent.

-The fact that we take our freedom for granted ... but that it comes at great sacrifice and cost to the brave men and women who dedicate their lives to keeping us free, secure, safe, and healthy everyday here on the third rock. #ThankYouUSMilitary #ThankYouFireFighters #ThankYouPoliceOfficers #ThankYouFirstResponders

-That the Big Guy didn't leave us; it's been the other way around and we need to right the ship, Capisce?

-Love is greater than hate and good always wins out over evil in the end. Always.

Please always remember 9/11/01 --- and 9/12/01, too.               #Septemer11 #PatriotDay #America #GodBlessTheUSA #Pray #Peace 

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