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REMEMBER - September 14, 2006
We received a message from Sarah that Todd will
soon be back in the States. There will be a welcome home
ceremony upon the unit’s arrival. About 10 days later, he will
be back home in Hickory.
She said, “They are very fortunate that no lives
have been lost in their unit. There have been some injuries and
they have all experienced combat and been up close and personal
with IED’s. Please continue to pray for all of the troops and
support them no matter what your feelings are about the
administration. Pray that the hedge of protection will keep all
of the Armed Forces surrounded. They choose to serve, knowing
they might even die, so we can enjoy our freedoms here in
America. Thank you all for your prayers and support through his
time of service. Thanks and God Bless you all.”
I knew we would receive the message at any time,
but it was very meaningful to know that it was almost a year ago
to the day, that he started the journey to Iraq. These members
of the National Guard will now return to civilian life, but
there lives will never be the same, because of one year. God be
with you all!
I was listening to the radio as I was driving
home on Monday, and was intensely aware that five years ago that
day our beloved nation suffered the worst terrorist attacks in
our history. There were three in one morning’s brief time, and
2,973 people were killed. The twin towers of the World Trade
Center, 110 stories high, were demolished, the Pentagon was
damaged, and a plane, carrying hijackers, crashed in a
Pennsylvania field. You can remember exactly where you were at
that time and the thoughts that were going through your mind.
I remember the immediate concern for two family
members who may have been near two of the sites, and two others
in the Reserves and Guard, who could be called for active duty.
In a service at the World Trade Center, mayor
Michael Bloomberg said, “Five years have come, and five years
have gone, and we still stand together as one.” Diane Kellie of
Montana pleaded, “We must remember as years go on. The dead are
not dead until they are forgotten.” She lost two relatives on
one of the planes. Peter Gorman, president of New York uniformed
Fire Officers Association, took note of the bright blue sky,
relating it to the morning of Sept. 11, 2001: “Today is still a
glorious day in the glorious city of New York . . . and America.
. . . Americans will never bow down to terrorism, thanks to the
U.S. military, thanks to every first responder in our country.”
German chancellor Angela Markel warned that
“tolerance and respect for other cultures must be hallmarks of
the international fight against terror.”
Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family hosted a
program of people who had personal experiences to relate. He
reminded us that a banner, “We Will Never Forget,” and a cross
made of salvaged construction beams was in place at the World
Trade Center in a short time. He also said that the sacrifice of
life made at Pearl Harbor will never be forgotten. “Point to the
Lord, He has not forgotten us. He will guide us and bring peace
out of chaos.” Dr. Dobson also reminded us that there were
40,000 survivors.
One lady told of her anger at the terrorists who
had caused the death of a family member. She made herself go to
the pit of the World Trade Center after eight months. She said
that she looked down and saw Hell and looked up and saw the
cross, and then saw Christ in the recycled cross.
A survivor of the Pentagon crisis told of being
severely burned and near death. He recovered after a long period
of treatment. He said that it was not his long hours of training
that saved him. It was the plan of the Lord, who had a plan for
his life.
We will remember those who have protected our
country from the beginning and we will pray and support those
who are still in the armed services of America.
I can never say “GOD BLESS AMERICA” too many
times!
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