Thursday, September 11, 2014

September 11, 2001: Let Us Never Forget


       September 11, 2001: Let Us Never Forget



September 11, 2001 no matter where you where or what you were doing when you heard of the horrific events of that morning, I am certain that your world, like my world stopped turning for at least a few minutes.

This was the day that thousands of American lives were lost on our own soil by a terrorist attack. 

I was in the United States District Court House in Baltimore with a client for a hearing. The Judge was called from the bench, when he returned he announced all cases would be continued and told us to leave the courthouse with no further explanation.

As I left the courthouse I saw armed U.S. Marshals surrounding the building.  It was then I heard of the attack on the World Trade Center's Twin Towers.  My first thoughts went to my brother who is a firefighter on Long Island.  I tried to reach him on my cell phone and all lines were busy.  I kept trying while I walked back to my office. 

When I arrived at my office, my secretary informed me the Pentagon had been hit.  I responded with a very solemn "we're at war" and walked quietly to my office. 

I closed my doors and prayed the most sincere prayer of my life to let me get through and speak to my brother. I picked up my phone and tried one more time.  Miraculously he picked up on the first ring.  He was on an engine responding to Ground Zero. When he arrived at the scene his company was assigned to work as a rescue and recovery team.  He was one of the lucky ones, he survived without physical injury.  Many others were not so lucky on that day.  God blessed me and my family.  He kept a hedge of angels around us and I am forever grateful for that protection.

I remember leaving my office going to be with my daughter and former wife, whose husband worked for the airlines and was flying that day.  He was safe.  I remember speaking to my son who was in college.  All of a sudden I realized how important family was.  How blessed my family was and how thankful I was that God answered my prayer and let me speak to my brother while he was responding to this tragedy. 

What I also remember is what happened in the hours, days, weeks and months following the attacks.  Neighbors were helping neighbors, many families were proudly flying their flags, people flocked to churches to pray together.   

I remember many of the people I worked with going to church together on the National Day of Prayer.  No matter our faith we all went together in solidarity to the Basilica in Baltimore.  The events of September 11, 2001 brought out a unity and love I have never seen before or since.  An attack that was meant to divide us, united us.

Sadly, a mere thirteen years later many have forgotten that day.  It saddened me to read of a Fire Chief suspending firefighters for refusing to remove American flag decals from their lockers; to read of a Lt. Colonel who was not allowed in his daughter’s High School because his uniform might offend students.  Both of these situations have been corrected but how, just 13 years after our country was so united could they have occurred in the first place.   It’s not only our flag and our military that  are no longer being respected but efforts are being made to remove God from every component of our society.  Just 13 years after most Americans flocked to churches in unity.  Please today join me in prayer to remember those touched by 9/11 and for the restoration of faith and patriotism in our country.  For me there is nothing more important than God, Family and Country.  May God Bless America and all of our families.

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