Posted on 09/08/2002 10:23:06 PM PDT by kristinn
The D.C. Chapter of FreeRepublic.com gathered at the Pentagon yesterday to pay our respects to the families and victims of those murdered in the terrorist attacks on September 11 and to show our support for President Bush and our men and women in uniform as they fight the war on terrorism.
With the one-year anniversary of the attacks coming this Wednesday, the work to rebuild the damaged parts of the Pentagon are just about finished. Towering stands of bleachers have been erected at the site of the attack in preparation for official ceremonies on Wednesday. Satellite TV trucks are parked nearby to transmit to the world the success of the Phoenix Project, the name given to the rebuilding project.
The memorial knoll, was deserted at 12:30 p.m. when tgslTakoma, daughter of tgsl and I arrived. It had been awhile since we had been there and the grounds around the two trees that have served as the focal points for personal tributes were overgrown and in need of a cleanup.
Groundcrews had erected snowfencing around the trees in the spring to protect them. In the summer they placed water bags around the trees to help them survive the drought. Both are doing well, we're glad to report.
The ground around the tree closest to the Pentagon had been covered with books and magazines that had titles such as Uppity Women in Ancient Times and Alcoholics Anonymous tracts, along with momentoes and tributes to the victims of September 11. It was so cluttered we left it as it was.
The ground around the other tree, which we "adopted" last fall, was less cluttered and mainly in need of grass clipping. A few of the American flags which we had placed on top of the poles of the snowfencing need replacing, which we did.
We also replaced the weatherbeaten tributes to fallen FReepers John Moran and Barbara Olson with new ones.
Angelwood and FreetheHostages brought fresh flowers to place at the tree. Surprisingly, the artificial flowers we had placed at the tree months ago were still in good shape.
While tgsl and daughter worked inside the snowfence, a photographer with the New York Times approached and started taking pictures. He stayed for awhile and took dozens of pictures. He spoke with us for a few minutes about how the attacks had affected all of us and our families.
Over the course of the two hours we were there, families walked up the hill to show their children where the attack occurred, some bringing flowers.
A year later, it is good to see that Americans have not 'moved on' from the attacks of September 11.
Pentagon-shaped memorial plaque
T-shirt in memory of IBEW members
(L to R) Tolerance Sucks Rocks, kristinn, Angelwood, tgslTakoma, FreetheHostages, Taxman, dixie sass
FReeper message to our men and women in uniform
The Pentagon at sunset, September 11, 2001
Thanks to the DC Chapter for the pics.
I'm off to bed. Goodnight.
BTW, e-mail me wrt upcoming FReeps. I need to get my cloak drycleaned ;-). 'Pod
The ceremonies at the Pentagon will start with the unfurling of a flag from the roof of the Pentagon starting at the exact time the plane hit one year ago. President Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld will take part in the event. The Washington Times schedule reports that 30,000 people are expected and I plan to be there, even I can only get as close as the Memorial Knoll.
Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your dedication. I'm touched, so appreciative of all you do, especially this gesture of remembrance. Maybe because I met Barbara Olson on several occasions, maybe because I often think of her, I'm moved to tears reading your report.
are we doing anything special for 9-11?
free the south,sw
Indeed. Never forget!
Greetings to DC Chapter Freepers!
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