A 9/11 REMEMBRANCE AT NIXON LIBRARY

Today I went to the Nixon Library.  They have a week long remembrance of 9/11 going on.

Outside, in the parking lot they had a 16 Ton piece of steel that was once part of the outer frame of one of the buildings at The World Trade Center. 

As I stood near this piece of steel I knew it was so much more then just another piece of steel.

This piece of steel helped to form the building that so many people went to work at ever day.  It was also a piece that once was part of the wall that held the windows. 

I couldn't help but wonder if this held one of the windows that someone jumped out of. 

This piece of steel represents that fateful day when a group of men with evil in their hearts decided to change the world. 

This piece of steal also represents the 2753 men and women who died that day. 

It represents the countless people who lost their loved ones.

It represents the 343 brave Firemen who died Heroes.

This big piece of steel represents how Americans came together.  How even though it was one of the worst days in American history, Americans became stronger. 

We have all learned of bad things that happened through history books, movies and TV.  Yet, we who were alive 9/11/01 became part of history. 

We saw how the world has changed.  How we now can no longer just hop on a plane to go on vacation like we used to.  How we must wait in long lines to have our purses checked just to go to Disneyland and other amusement parks.  How, laws have changed.  How more cameras have been installed to watch our every move in public.

Some say it's gone to far and has become an invasion of their privacy.  I say it's helping us to stay safe and catch those still out there that want to hurt us.

No, I did not just see this as a big piece of steel at all.

I wondered if anyone died under this piece of steel.  I prayed they didn't. 

This fire truck was also there.  It did not get crushed by the buildings because it came afterwards. 
I admit, at first I wondered why this truck was important enough to travel from New York to CA.  Then it hit me.

This truck was at Ground Zero helping to put out fires that were still burning even though the build had collapsed. 

It shows how the heat was so strong that parts of the truck was damaged.
It held heroes, men who came to save others.

Some believe that all the firemen were just "doing their jobs" that day.  Sure, that's true.  However, I don't think anyone would have thought anything less of these men if they chose to save their own lives and get out of the buildings when they knew it was ready to come down.

Yet, they didn't.  They kept going up higher and higher.  Stopping to help anyone and everyone they saw. 

There are many stories of people who came across these brave men and how they willing gave their life.  Not because it was their job to do so.  But, because these men are HEROES.  Men who put others before themselves. 

You can read about this important truck by clicking on the above photo.

We then went inside the building to hear a true life hero speak to us.

I was very happy to see so many people there on a weekday. 

This man is a Los Angeles Fireman.  He was one of the first to get out to New York to offer help.  He told stories of the destruction, pain and loss.  He also told stories of the brave men and women and dogs who spent countless hours searching, helping and doing what they could to find survivors and sadly bodies to return to their loved ones.

My heart broke when he could no longer hold back the tears.

Even though we watched it all unfold on TV we will never fully understand what those who were there lived through.  My heart aches for them as I'm sure those sights, sounds and smells will be forever etched into their minds.

My prayers are that 9/11/01 is the last time Americans are ever attacked.  My fears are, it's not.

WHEN THE PAST MEETS TODAY

In Las Vegas you can find so much more then just Casinos and Show Rooms.

You can actually find history and that is what drew my attention to the Atomic Testing Museum.

I can recall hearing a bit about bombs being tested and having to practice our duck and cover drills when the sirens went off through out the streets where I lived.

However, being a kid, I don't think I ever fully grasped what it was all about. As a child, one seems to feel like death is so far away that it doesn't really sink in. Sure, we would talk about it and some were even very scared at the though of a bomb going off, but, none of us really thought that bomb would kill any of us or anyone we knew.



So, as I walked through the museum seeing these bombs up close, it was an odd feeling for me. Like they were not real.

They were just something I read about or saw in war movies.

It was clear that even back when the threat was real, the public saw the atomic bombs as more of security feeling then a possible death machine.

There were movies, comic books, candy, games and just about everything else, that used the Atomic Bomb as a way to make a quick buck.

America felt safe. We were the World's most powerful Nation. We had the A-Bomb and no one else did. No one was going to mess with us!

Then they started to tell us that Russia also was working on making their own bombs and the fear started to set it.

Many families had Bomb Shelters built. The museum showed what one may have looked like. A tiny little room with some supplies to use while waiting for the Nuclear Fall Out to disperse.

Looking at this now, it's easy to see what a joke those shelters were. The only thing they would have really done was provided a ready made coffin for the whole family.

Seeing the actual items that were used back then didn't really seem to provoke any feelings while I was looking at them.

I did feel as if I stepped back in time and was back in school watching a science film or something.

It wasn't until the end of museum that I started to fully grasp the whole story.

There were real men who gave their lives and suffered grave injuries during the testing that took place in Las Vegas and other places.

Seeing the faces and reading the names on some of the ID cards really hit home with me.



These men watched as the bombs were tested, time and time again. They trusted that they were safe. They believed the people they worked for, our government, that they were far enough away from the test site to not be effected. They never knew what was in store for them.

I'm sure it would have been hard to not look directly at the bomb as it went off. After all, it's like going by an accident. You don't want to look, but, for some reason we can't seem to help our self as we drive by, to try and grab a glimpse.

Some were told they could wear special glasses to watch and some were far enough away that the blast was not going to blind them. So they looked. They watched, first hand as the white light came, the mushroom cloud rose above the ground and then the nuclear waste slowly spread out over a wide area.

All the while, having no idea what they were really doing. How they put themselves in harms way.

The museum has films and photos showing the destruction that just one bomb could cause.

It's really scary to think that there are now so many Countries that have this weapon of mass destruction. It's even scarier to think that one day they could actually be used against us.

As we reached the end of the museum I was thinking to myself how happy I was to know that we are no longer testing these bombs like they used to.

I know that it was because of these bombs we had during the Cold War that we remained safe. Yet, I still hate the thought of how many men still died because of them.

I was happy we were getting ready to leave. I was starting to feel emotional and sad and since I was on vacation I didn't want to feel that way.

In the last room we saw a piece of the Berlin Wall.

The Berlin Wall was another piece of History that seemed so far away from my own life. Like it happened on another world.

Yet there it was. Right in front of me. I paused to think about how many people felt trapped behind that wall. How loved ones were kept from their friends and family because of this wall of concrete.

Then the joy that was felt as they knocked it down. I remember that day. I watched it on TV and remember thinking about how I couldn't relate to what those people were going through.

I was blessed I lived in the USA.



Then as I turned around, I was hit with a big dose of reality. There it was! A reminder of the day in history I will never forget.

Parts of The World Trade Center. The twisted sheet metal piece was behind glass and almost looked like a piece of art.

Yet, it was the furtherst thing from art I will ever know. It is proof of the hatred and evil that can be found in our World.

I turned around again and as I read this sign I had a lump in my throat and thought I was going to break down in tears.

I've seen the photos and watched the News reports where the steel beams from The World Trade Center were shown.

I heard about how heavy they were and how thick the steel was. Yet, until you see it first hand, well, it's like the bombs and the Berlin Wall. It just doesn't sink in.

I walked over to the beam, touched it and said a prayer for all those who lost their lives on 9/11. I couldn't help but wonder what floor this came from and if anyone had died near it.

History is funny. We learn about it in school and see it on TV. Yet, until we actually live it we can just push it aside and be thankful our own life was not touched by it.

I think about the children that are to young to even remember 9/11 and how they will grow up hearing about it and reading about it in their history books. Yet, they will never fully understand the loss, heartache and pain that took place that day.

I don't often think about all the pain and suffering that took place in history. That is, until the past meets up with today.

A DAY TO REMEMBER ~ PATRIOT DAY CEREMONY

Last night I went down to the beach to pay my respects to all those who lost their life on 9/11 as well as all the men and women who have fought and continue to fight for our freedom.

It was very touching and such an honor to have been there.
The crowds gathered by the pier in Huntington Beach. Many people had to stand as there were not enough seats for everyone. Several people even stood up on the pier to watch.

Before things got on their way the Firemen got together to discuss what they were going to say.

The bag pipes could be heard through out the beach calling everyone to come join in as we all remembered.

The flag was flown half mass to honor all those who have fallen.

The Pledge of Allegiance was said. It seemed to be louder then normal and said with much pride by all who were there.

People bowed their heads as the Police Chaplin lead us all in prayer. There was a loud Amen at the end.

The badges of the Firemen and Police were covered with the black tape which is customary when one of their own has died.

The Veterans were there to pay their respect and were greeted with a loud applause.

Before telephones and radios were around the Fire Department used to ring a bell when one of their own had died. It was a way to let the people in the neighborhood know. That tradition is still done today.

To honor those who were no longer with us each war that America had been in as well as 9/11 was read off and after each one the bell was rung.

Amazing Grace was played on the bag pipes as this was done.

Police officers, Firemen and the Military speakers all spoke. Each took turns telling us what they remembered about 9/11. Where they were, how they reacted.

Many ended up going to New York to help with the rescue and clean up. Some knew people who were killed.

All talked about the brave men and women who helped to save life's. They all agreed that those people did not LOSE their life's but rather freely GAVE their life in order to save others.

Then there was a 21 Gun Salute to honor all those who were no longer with us.

Yes, this was held on 9/11 and yes, this has been a tradition ever since 9/11 happened. However, it has become not only a day to remember everyone who passed away on 9/11 but also a way to honor the men and women who were heroes and still are heroes in The USA. The firemen, police and military.

It was touching, sad and also left me feeling very proud that I am an American and live in a Country were Freedom rings.

Hugs,

Joanne

9/11

In memory of all the men and women who lost their life to an EVIL act on 9/11... I will never forget you.

To all the the brave Firefighters, EMTs, Police Officers, Security Officers and Everyone who lent a hand... I thank you!

To all the families and friends who lost a loved one... I am so sorry, my thoughts and prayers go out to each of you!

To everyone who fights to keep the memory alive, so we may never forget all those who have fallen... I tip my hat to you.

To all the wonderful men and women in the Military, who are fighting to keep us safe... God bless you and keep you save!

I will NEVER forget the heros, the brave and the strong people of 9/11 and I hope none of you do either.

May something like 9/11 every happen again.

Joanne