Thank you for another excellent essay. Including Hero Tom Burnett’s somber transcript set a lasting & moving tone.
As I read your “Patriot Day” essay, like most people, I remembered where I was & what I was thinking as I heard the news. I distinctly recall being passed on a north bound highway to NYC by what seemed like multiple speeding convoys of black SUVs, presumably filled with federal agents.
I often wonder if we still have a few good men & woman like Tom Burnett who will step into the breach when the inevitable need arises again? I try to be optimistic & hope we do.
We were very fortunate to attend an event this past weekend with thousands (yes, thousands) of college-age students & their families. They were from many different ethnic backgrounds & communities. Judging from the vehicles in the various surrounding parking lots there was an authentic representation from well-worn to well-off participants. Each individual we personally witnessed or had direct contact were kind, courteous & well-mannered. America at its best.
We left for home with more than just ‘optimism’ — we left with ‘confidence.’ We still have the right stuff. America will still have heroes.
As I understand, similar events occur across our country. Apparently The Fourth Estate chooses not to tell these stories of America. It doesn’t fit the narrative of their political agents agenda.
All the more reason “Never Forget means to live a life worthy of those heroes.” America will never recoup what the 911 terrorists cost us. Pray for Mr. Tom Burnett’s grown family. It cost them everything.
Thank you Jenna for sharing all of your considerable talents. Your writing lifts our spirits & never disappoints.
Thank you for this insight, Noah. Yes, it's easy to get bogged down in all the negative news and sentiment, but moments come around that give us hope. We just have to be open to them. America still has, and will continue to have heroes; we have to foster the type of patriotism that allows them to come into their own.
Thank you so much for this essay! This is a hard day for all Americans but not nearly as hard as it is for people who lost those they love 22 years ago or for people who lived in NYC. I still remember Todd Beamer's, "Let's roll." My mother called me when the first plane hit. I saw the second plane hit on TV. I've seen photos of the Pentagon damage and the crash site of Flight 93; I think the people Flight 93 are possibly the bravest people who ever lived. I remember a friend wanting to enlist but not wanting to leave her daughter. All I can remember about my feelings is, I want my mom. I imagine a whole lot of people felt that way. Thank you for the transcript. I hadn't read it before.
It is a hard day. Thank you for sharing your memories and commenting. It is why my husband and I volunteered for the military; the most formative event in our lives. I remember exactly the moments of that morning and will pass that along to my kids when they're old enough to understand it. Thanks again.
I remember where I stood the very moment I heard the news. I will never forget. Thanks for writing. I will never forget the Korean War, 1950-53, The Forgotten War, the memory of which has faded for so many that it got skipped in this piece. See KoreanWar.org
Thank you for this, Al. And I agree, Korea has been swallowed by the enormity of WWII and Vietnam. The Korean memorial at the National Mall is a haunting reminder of that war. It should have a greater prominence in our collective memory, absolutely.
Thank you for this tribute to the passengers on Fl. 93. I was in Washington that morning on business and very near the Capitol, which was thought to be the terrorists' target.
It is far too easy to forget and move on and reading this was a necessary personal corrective.
I appreciate this, David. I just try in some small way to pay tribute to our heroes who never asked to be put in this situation, but acted bravely on our behalf and for a virtuous America.
Thank you for all your offerings. This particular and poignant essay touches as deeply as others but leads me to comment in a way no other has—for one simply reason: our loss was a touch nearer than yours (and that of your town). Thank you for honoring him, his family, his moment in our history. Most of the lives lost were of those who had none-to-few opportunities to make contact with another soul, much less contact with their own loved one/s. Your heart, your spirit, and your style are greatly and dearly appreciated…may it be so that we Never Forget
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and a tiny window into your experience. I try and fall short of conveying in words what I feel in my soul for the lives lost on September 11. May the memories of those be blessings to who were left behind — a small part of them that will live on and bring peace to broken hearts. Thank you again for reading.
Jenna,
Thank you for another excellent essay. Including Hero Tom Burnett’s somber transcript set a lasting & moving tone.
As I read your “Patriot Day” essay, like most people, I remembered where I was & what I was thinking as I heard the news. I distinctly recall being passed on a north bound highway to NYC by what seemed like multiple speeding convoys of black SUVs, presumably filled with federal agents.
I often wonder if we still have a few good men & woman like Tom Burnett who will step into the breach when the inevitable need arises again? I try to be optimistic & hope we do.
We were very fortunate to attend an event this past weekend with thousands (yes, thousands) of college-age students & their families. They were from many different ethnic backgrounds & communities. Judging from the vehicles in the various surrounding parking lots there was an authentic representation from well-worn to well-off participants. Each individual we personally witnessed or had direct contact were kind, courteous & well-mannered. America at its best.
We left for home with more than just ‘optimism’ — we left with ‘confidence.’ We still have the right stuff. America will still have heroes.
As I understand, similar events occur across our country. Apparently The Fourth Estate chooses not to tell these stories of America. It doesn’t fit the narrative of their political agents agenda.
All the more reason “Never Forget means to live a life worthy of those heroes.” America will never recoup what the 911 terrorists cost us. Pray for Mr. Tom Burnett’s grown family. It cost them everything.
Thank you Jenna for sharing all of your considerable talents. Your writing lifts our spirits & never disappoints.
Thank you for this insight, Noah. Yes, it's easy to get bogged down in all the negative news and sentiment, but moments come around that give us hope. We just have to be open to them. America still has, and will continue to have heroes; we have to foster the type of patriotism that allows them to come into their own.
A great post... we'll done!
Thank you so much for this essay! This is a hard day for all Americans but not nearly as hard as it is for people who lost those they love 22 years ago or for people who lived in NYC. I still remember Todd Beamer's, "Let's roll." My mother called me when the first plane hit. I saw the second plane hit on TV. I've seen photos of the Pentagon damage and the crash site of Flight 93; I think the people Flight 93 are possibly the bravest people who ever lived. I remember a friend wanting to enlist but not wanting to leave her daughter. All I can remember about my feelings is, I want my mom. I imagine a whole lot of people felt that way. Thank you for the transcript. I hadn't read it before.
It is a hard day. Thank you for sharing your memories and commenting. It is why my husband and I volunteered for the military; the most formative event in our lives. I remember exactly the moments of that morning and will pass that along to my kids when they're old enough to understand it. Thanks again.
I remember where I stood the very moment I heard the news. I will never forget. Thanks for writing. I will never forget the Korean War, 1950-53, The Forgotten War, the memory of which has faded for so many that it got skipped in this piece. See KoreanWar.org
Thank you for this, Al. And I agree, Korea has been swallowed by the enormity of WWII and Vietnam. The Korean memorial at the National Mall is a haunting reminder of that war. It should have a greater prominence in our collective memory, absolutely.
Thank you for this tribute to the passengers on Fl. 93. I was in Washington that morning on business and very near the Capitol, which was thought to be the terrorists' target.
It is far too easy to forget and move on and reading this was a necessary personal corrective.
robertsdavidn.substack.com/about
I appreciate this, David. I just try in some small way to pay tribute to our heroes who never asked to be put in this situation, but acted bravely on our behalf and for a virtuous America.
Thank you for all your offerings. This particular and poignant essay touches as deeply as others but leads me to comment in a way no other has—for one simply reason: our loss was a touch nearer than yours (and that of your town). Thank you for honoring him, his family, his moment in our history. Most of the lives lost were of those who had none-to-few opportunities to make contact with another soul, much less contact with their own loved one/s. Your heart, your spirit, and your style are greatly and dearly appreciated…may it be so that we Never Forget
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and a tiny window into your experience. I try and fall short of conveying in words what I feel in my soul for the lives lost on September 11. May the memories of those be blessings to who were left behind — a small part of them that will live on and bring peace to broken hearts. Thank you again for reading.