There are days in our lives that we will never forget. The 9th day of September 2001was one of those days. We remember exactly where we were when we first heard about the planes flying into the Twin Towers. Some of us were watching the news when that second plane crashed into the second tower. Even more of us were watching when the buildings collapsed.
And we knew, as we stood transfixed in front of our televisions, that people were dying. Firemen had run into the buildings to rescue people and lost their lives in that horrible moment when the buildings came down. There were still rescues, miracles of survival, but there were also many who were not rescued. And we watched and thought of how our world was forever changed. Then we prayed. We held hands and looked to the Lord for help, for comfort, for hope for the days to follow. I was at home – probably trying to write something, but I really don’t remember that. I do remember my daughter-in-law calling me and telling me to turn on the television since she knew I probably wouldn’t have the t.v. or radio on. I saw the replays of the plane hitting the building over and over and I saw the towers collapse. Even thinking about it now ten years later, my heart grows heavy with the memory.
There were other memories in the days that followed. It was the week of the National Quartet Convention then the same as now, and we went on to Louisville to the Fairgrounds where the convention was going on. But it was strange. Nobody knew what to do. Should they continue on? Should they just call everything off and send everybody home? In the end, they continued their program with tributes and prayers and patriotic speeches, but there was a surreal feeling to it all. What were we doing? And why?
The fairgrounds is next to the airport in Louisville where there is a busy UPS hub. I remember how very odd it felt with no planes taking off or landing. Normally a plane would be going over every few minutes. But the rest of that week, all planes were grounded. The skies seemed too empty. And, with our innocence lost, we waited and worried about what might happen next. We still wait and worry.
Now we know what can happen. We remember those first responders – the firemen and police officers. We remember our soldiers who volunteer to protect our country and way of life. And we remember those who have given their all in service of our country. Our little town of Lawrenceburg, KY has a beautiful memorial to our soldiers called the “Healing Field.” It’s a moving memorial with flags to represent soldiers who have given their lives for our country.
And so we remember.