Do you Remember September 11th?

9:24 A.M. EDT 9/11/2001

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a difficult moment for America. I unfortunately will be 
going back to Washington after my remarks. Secretary Rod Paige and the lieutenant 
governor will take the podium and discuss education. 

I do want to thank the folks here at the Booker Elementary School for their hospitality.
Today we've had a national tragedy. Two airplanes have crashed into the World Trade Center 
in an apparent terrorist attack on our country. I have spoken to the vice president, to the governor 
of New York, to the director of the FBI, and I've ordered that the full resources of the federal 
government go to help the victims and their families and to conduct a full-scale investigation 
to hunt down and to find those folks who committed this act.

Terrorism against our nation will not stand.

And now if you join me in a moment of silence.

May God bless the victims, their families and America. Thank you very much."
       --President Bush's first statement on September 11th, 2001

       Do you remember September 11th?
        Do you remember how we all felt?
        Do you remember the horror?  the shock?  the pain?
        Do you remember praying?
        Do you remember lighting a candle for those we lost?
        Do you remember September 11th, 2001?

        I remember where I was and what I was doing
        I remember it like it was a slow motion movie
        I remember the look reflected on everyone's faces
        I remember watching television showing
                    oever-and-over-and-over those 3 places

Reporters weeping.

"Unbelievable."

"Shocking."

"Surreal."

"Unprecedented."

It still is.

From the Oval Office
8:30 P.M. EDT 9/11/2001

THE PRESIDENT: "Good evening. Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life,
our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly
terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes, or in their offices;
secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers; moms and
dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by
evil, despicable acts of terror.

The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge
structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and
a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to
frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our
country is strong.

A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks
can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch
the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent
the steel of American resolve.

America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for
freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from
shining.

Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we
responded with the best of America -- with the daring of our rescue workers,
with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help
in any way they could.

Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's
emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our
emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C. to help
with local rescue efforts.

Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured, and to
take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world
from further attacks.

The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal
agencies in Washington, which had to be evacuated today, are reopening for
essential personnel tonight, and will be open for business tomorrow. Our
financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open
for business, as well.

The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I've
directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement
communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will
make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and
those who harbor them.

I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in
strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I
thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and
assistance.

America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and
security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against
terrorism. Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for
the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety
and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a
power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: "Even
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for
You are with me." This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life
unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies
before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day.
Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our
world.

Thank you. Good night, and God bless America.

        Do you remember September 11th?
        Do you remember how you felt that day?
        Was it horror?  was it shock?   was it pain?
        Do you remember praying?
        Did you light a candle or see one lit?
        Do you remember September 11th, 2001?

In the end when we look back and remember the tragic events of that day
WE WILL NEVER FORGET:  we will never be the same.

--bro. tim pickl, September 11th, 2002 A.D.   6:40AM

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