Remembering 9/11

“Who are you that you fear mortal men, the sons of men, who are but grass, that you forget the LORD your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth, that you live in constant terror every day because of the wrath of the oppressor, who is bent on destruction?” — Isaiah 51:12-13

My daughter was only two years old when the terrorist attacks of 9/11 took place. As I tucked her in last night and recounted the tragic events of that day, memories came flooding back. I remember exactly where I was when the second plane hit the twin towers. I fell to my knees in tears as one after the other they fell, recalling the day I had stood on the roof of one of the towers overlooking New York City. The view was spectacular! The eery quiet of our planeless skies in the days just after the attack and the cloud that hung over all of us despite the beautiful fall weather that day are forever etched in my memory.

It is important that we never forget 9/11 and that we never cease to pray for our country. It is also important that we not live in fear of men and nations who would attempt to perpetrate that kind of evil again. We are Americans, proud and free. Those of us who are Christians serve a God who is not subject to the evil of man or of the Destroyer, Satan. He is our Protector, sovereign over every evil scheme of man, and in control of every aspect of our lives.

Wherever you are today, remember 9/11. Fly your flag. Pray for our country and our political leaders. Pray especially for the men and women of our armed forces around the world who risk their lives daily to protect our nation and fight for freedom everywhere. Worship the One who made us all, giving thanks for his protection and sovereignty in these perilous times. 

Dee Dee Wike

Say Thanks

Our neighborhood association attaches American flags to the mailboxes of all the homes in our subdivision for Memorial Day, July 4th, and Veterans Day. Our small way of saluting our country and the ones that stand in the gap to preserve our freedom.

I was doing my part to help get those up this morning when a couple from the down the street pulled up beside me to say hello. I know that they are both very patriotic from their license plate which reads “Proud American” to the flag that proudly waves in their front yard. I asked how they were and then I asked him,

“You’re a veteran, aren’t you?” (I was pretty sure he was)

He nodded yes.

“Thank you” I said.

I wish you could have seen the expression on his face. His wife must have known I’d hit a nerve for she smiled and reached over and patted his leg. He could not utter a word, but nodded his thanks, smiled through what I’m pretty sure were tears and quietly drove off.

I was as surprised at his reaction as he was at my statement.

Such a simple thing…just a “thank you”. But to the hundreds or maybe thousands of veterans we come in contact with day in and day out, it means the world.

They laid their lives on the line for us. Some were prisoners of war. Some suffered injury or came back totally changed by what they saw. Most of us will never know what it was like for them, no matter whether it was in WW II, Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Afghanistan or Iraq.

Monday is Memorial Day. So I am writing this today to ask you look around you over the next several days. See who you know that is a veteran. Maybe it’s a neighbor. Maybe it’s a family member. Maybe it’s someone at church or in your office. But will you seek them out this weekend, either in person or by email or a phone call and do one simple thing.

Just say “Thank you” for serving our country.

And to any of you who may be reading this today….if you are a veteran, may I be the first to say to THANK YOU! May God bless you for the sacrifices you made. We appreciate you!!!

God bless America!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pat Thomas