9/11 through my sons eyes.

Extemporaneous notes to myself, on September 11, 2001 | Sept 10, 2002 | Matthew, Carlo3b1/3

[carlo3b]

This is Carlo3b1/3...sigh

Extemporaneous notes to myself, on September 11, 2001,

          by Matthew
 

          I know that forty years from now, I will be rooting through an old box and will come across this
          paper. I’ll brush off the dust and will immediately remember the fateful day of September 11, 2001

          What a beautiful day it was. The sun's warmth mixed with a cool breeze gave the day the sensation
          of life. I sat on the bus and stared out into space. I had been to the Science Place Museum on field
          trips many times before, but this time I was going to dissect a pig's heart. I was elated and cheerful
          when our school bus pulled into the parking lot. I didn't see many cars in the lot, but I didn't take
          that into consideration at the time. We walked in a herd across the street. A car nearly hit me
          because I jumped out into the street so quickly. I was wearing my beige shorts and my favorite
          blank-white T-shirt. Over that I wore an over shirt that was blue and yellow plaid.

          I made my way up the steps and got into the single file line that had been formed. A man who
          worked at the Science Place counted us one by one. The main lobby was empty and the gift shop
          closed. We were early. It was pleasantly cool inside, and the room echoed our voices playfully.

          After being divided into two groups, the children were given instructions. The first group went to
          the dissection lab and my group stayed in the lobby and waited for the Imax theater to open. I
          wandered around the lobby floor and decided to join the kids who were playing with the lobby
          camera. Just when I joined the crowd, our instructor informed us that we were not allowed in a
          public place. I was baffled as we all formed a line to exit the lobby. I heard someone say in the
          background, “The World Trade Center and Pentagon had been attacked!” I laughed and shoved it
          off as a joke. I thought to myself that the real reason that we had to leave was that the museum was
          closed that day or that they didn't have enough pig hearts.

          Then I heard another voice state “ They were assaulted!” Still not believing it totally, I exited the
          building. When I saw the other group standing at the bottom of the steps, I had to accept it… we
          no longer had a World Trade Center, and the Pentagon had been attacked.

          The thought stung me, and at the time, my mind had hardly accepted it. Just before we re-entered
          the bus, our science teacher, Mrs. Murphy, addressed us as a group. “Our country is in a state of
          emergency.

          The World Trade Center towers were attacked, and the Pentagon was attacked, too. I do not
          know anything else right now, but if you are  a religious person, praying is a good idea.” “How can
          this happen?” I kept asking myself. The question haunted me on the drive back to School. Now the
          day didn't seem so beautiful anymore, but rather dark and mournful. Discussion on the bus
          consisted of the qualifications for draft, and who might have felt inclined to attack America.

          The few students who had radios kept shouting news to those of us who didn't. “They were
          terrorists! They hijacked and crashed planes into the World Trade Center and Pentagon!” These
          words teased our minds for the duration of the trip. The constant bouncing of the bus and the smell
          of fresh laid tar enveloped us as we pondered the future, near and far......
 
 

[carlo3b]

Trust me there is HOPE in our next generation!
 
 

[HiJinx]

Oh, don't worry, we KNOW there is hope...

So many of us here at FR have our own children, nieces, nephews, and those of friends who warm our hearts daily.

My son tried to capture some of the feeling of 9/11, and the anger he felt. He told me it was bad enough they had murdered Americans..."but worse than that, Dad, is they killed our guests." All the foreigners who had offices in the WTC, and who died, should have expected some degree of safety here. The terrorist b@st@rds took that away from them.

Just food for thought.

HJ

[carlo3b]

I believe this may be worth reading, but I'm a bit smitten with this guy... blush

[carlo3b]

Thanks HJ, I am constantly amazed at the depth of this next generation, perhaps people should hear more about what are the real coming attractions... OUR OWN KIDS

[stanz]

Well worth reading. The "older" generation rarely gets a glimpse of what's going on in the minds of our young.
It's heartwarming to know that not all our teens are indifferent and unmoved by the state of world affairs.
If we are going to survive, we had better hope this sensibility moves them to act when they need to.

[carlo3b]

I agree, I get an opportunity to be with young teens all the time, and I am comforted by our potential through there efforts.
What I notice is they are much more cynical than most of their parents about the Movies, News, and accepted Cultural norms, they for the most part see through the BS.

[jellybean]

Carlo, give Matthew a hug for me...

Matthew, thank you for sharing this with us. It was a frightening and confusing day not only for kids, but for adults as well. It's good to look back and remember the horror of that day, if only to remind us never to become complacent again. But also remember the ordinary people who did extraordinary things that day. The police officers and firefighters who risked their lives (and sadly for some, gave it) to save others, strangers helping strangers, the passengers aboard Flight 93 making a very difficult decision--they sacrificed their lives to save many more.

On that day satan opened up the pit of hell and unleashed the forces of hate, but God opened the gates of Heaven poured forth the power of love. Love will always overcome hate. Love empowers, hate consumes. Remember that!

[carlo3b]

Thanks Jelly, I will show your very sweet and insightful message to Matthew when he gets home from school. He is a wonderful boy and has a deep belief system that was shaken by this outrageous barbaric act, but as we know now the result of this tragedy is perhaps a stronger nation and sobered citizenry.

I guess until this happened we as a nation tried not to believed anyone would attempt a wholesale slaughter of our neighbors. That denial which started several years ago, and stretched to the highest levels of our government, proved beyond any shadow of a doubt, that we must individually choose our leaders with a great deal more deliberation, meaning contrary to political spin doctors, "character does matter"!

Although it appears that in this last election we have begun with a step in the right direction, picking a strong and honorable man, President George Bush, our work has just begun. Our leaders now need our all out support to force the an end to the roadblocks placed in the way for purely political reasons by obstructing our safety measures and prevent a repeat of this by removing another terrorist before it's to late. However the only way to truly protect ourselves and our loved ones is to take our personal safety back into our own hands.
GET ACTIVE IN THE NEXT AND FUTURE ELECTIONS!

[jellybean]

but as we know now the result of this tragedy is perhaps a stronger nation and sobered citizenry.

In the span of a few short hours that day we went from a nation divided by the debacle in Florida the year before to a nation united in it's determination to find and punish those responsible. We grieved together and prayed together. We all watched as the rescue effort began and cheered each time another survivor was pulled out of the rubble. We were humbled by the outpouring of compassion that flowed from the open hearts of caring people all accross the country to those in need. People volunteered their time, others opened their homes or made sandwiches. Still others stood in long lines to give blood, so many that they had to turn some away.

We are a stronger nation today than we were a year ago, but it's because of the good people with good hearts who refuse to live in fear and allow evil to triumph.

[Former Fetus]

My son is only 7, so last year I tried to keep him busy with things other than watching the attack on tv. Last night he handed me a poem he had written about his feelings on the attack on the twin towers. It made me cry, I never thought he had such insight on the hijackers or such empathy for those who died. Needless to say I have dated the poem and will treasure it for the rest of my life.

[Kay Ludlow]

they for the most part see through the BS.

As the parent of 2 young people, I have to agree with this! They see school for the most part as going along with the game, but generally don't believe most of what they're taught (like the PC stuff, environmentalism, revisionist history). They don't know what the truth is, but know when they're being fed a line...

[carlo3b]

I never thought he had such insight on the hijackers or such empathy for those who died.

Your son sounds like a bite off the bright apple...LOL

[carlo3b]

....We are a stronger nation today than we were a year ago!!

We have alway had it, but watch the way the "advanced thinkers"..GAG, PUKE, SPIT... portray the president's speech, and the outpouring of nationalism! TOM, PETER, and DAN, will find a loophole in our pride to scratch the shinny surface off of it.

[jellybean]

We have alway had it...

The vast majority of Americans have always held a deep sense of love for God, home and country. They've been laughed at and sneered at and ridiculed by the likes of Tom/Peter/Dan and the Hollowwood elites so much so that they were ashamed to admit such feelings lest they be perceived as neandrathals from a bygone era. The game was to make people feel isolated in their beliefs. All that's changed now. People remember how good they felt giving blood, sending money, doing food or clothing drives or volunteering their time and talents to help any way they could. They saw their neighbors flying the flag, perhaps for the first time. They felt that swell of pride when the Star Spangled Banner was played. They realized they weren't alone.

If the "advanced thinkers" continue in their snobish, elitist put-down of American values, more and more people will realize they are the ones who are isolated from the rest of us and will tune them out. Couldn't happen to a nicer bunch!

[carlo3b]

Kay as you must know by now, walking into a school today is akin to traversing a tightrope. I don't want my children getting punished for my strong political views, which will become all too evident the first time I am confronted with a message being foisted upon my offspring that is contrary to the facts.

Very early on, I try to establish my value to the school and the classroom by offering my services to them as a aid or a volunteer, and as a chef , it doesn't take long for each of them to imagine my future uses..... LOL

I then at the first possible opportunity with humor if I can, I make my conservative views clear and unambiguous. It has proven a successful tool, which spares my kids, and perhaps others any liberal backlash.

[carlo3b]

...elitist put-down of American values, more and more people will realize they are the ones who are isolated from the rest of us and will tune them out.

Right on beanie, take a look at the latest Neilson ratings, all the mainstream media are taking it in the %#@* !! Shame on them, I always wonder where are the stockholders? Why don't they start screaming...anyway thats what I would do...ha!

[jellybean]

I always wonder where are the stockholders? Why don't they start screaming...anyway thats what I would do...ha!

Most of the major stockholders are probably the network executives who hire these clowns.