Opinion : September 11

Vinton Fire Department honors the memory of those lost on September 11

There probably can't be anything said about September 11 that hasn't already been said. The headline doesn't need any more words in it.

For those older than 23,24,25 you probably have some memory of the day.

It was for me, the day after my son's birthday and I remember thinking that I was glad it wasn't on the same day. I know in light of everything and the loss that so many faced, it sounds a bit selfish to even think that way.

For my generation, we had never seen an attack on our country like this with Pearl Harbor being the last attack we'd seen on this scale.

I remember the fear of the day, having 6 children in the house, immediately the mom in me came out and all senses were keen to the need to take care of them.

Immediately lines formed at the gas stations. In turn, prices at the pump went up.

My theory at the time was to batten down the hatches, make sure I had supplies in the house enough for my family. Secondly, I went to my parent's house to check on them. At the time my dad was not doing well and watching the events of the day didn't help him at all.

The fear we all felt, not knowing if there were more attacks beyond what we had seen that day was lurking around every corner. We didn't know if the attacking was now finished or had just begun.

We hovered around the TV screens and radios at the time. It sounds foreign to me to not say that we were on our computers and phones watching as events unfolded, but we weren't.

Through the shock, we watched as New York reeled, as the Pentagon was attacked and as we heard of a plane going down in Pennsylvania.

There is no way to understand that at all. And honestly, I'm glad that we don't understand it.

But, we should never forget that we are blessed with this great nation.

Below is a poem written by a Veteran, Brian J. Robinson Sr. on that day September 11, 2001.

A Tragedy Unfolds

The tears flowed from my eyes today,
When I heard the awful news.
To think that such a cowardly act,
Could tear our hearts in two.

The tears flowed even faster,
and more and more they came.
It seemed they flowed for victims,
Still, yet without a name.

The giant towers now are gone,
The victims still uncounted.
The rubble strewn across the land,
Justice, being mounted.

The Pentagon, now lies in ruin,
So many lives were taken.
But yet we stand United,
For those lives were not forsaken.

The plane in Pennsylvania,
The hero's vote on board.
To thwart another incident
Now sit with you, my Lord.

My heart still aches within me!
My grief is ever painful
But yet I have the faith
To pray and be more thankful.

Our nation's stand United
The brave, the strong, the free.
Not weakened but much stronger.
Americans are we!

The tears flowed yet again today,
I can't remember when
I've been more proud to stand and say
Yes! I'm American!