Fifteen Years After 9/11. What Makes a Hero? Heroic 9/11 Dogs. Update.

 

For “Scripture Sunday”:

Fifteen Years after 9/11, What to Remember.

“While memories of September 11 elicit a flood of emotions, the lessons of that historic day should never be forgotten.

America attacked: Hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 from Boston crashes into the south tower of the World Trade Center at 9:03 a.m. in New York City (Sept. 11, 2001).

Source: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

One Nation

As workers and inhabitants made their way back to Manhattan after September 11, the smell of rubble and melted plastic mingled with the stench of decaying bodies. The horror of that day lingered, but something else did as well. New Yorkers felt increased camaraderie after surviving the disaster, often asking each other, “Where were you on 9/11?” Strangers would recount their stories to one another.

Hints of a feeling of togetherness began on September 11 itself. In Washington Square Park, a few began holding hands, with passersby quietly joining. People from varied backgrounds soon added to the number, and the circle quickly grew. It was consoling to know they were not alone.

A similar feeling of solidarity swept the country, starting with candlelight vigils and memorial services in states across the union. It was seen in a sea of waving American flags, then in pins, T-shirts and bumper stickers.

The entire nation shared a unified sense of purpose. They backed the president almost unanimously. A Gallup poll showed 90 percent approved of his performance on September 21-22, including 89 percent of Democrats.

In the face of losing the freedoms and prosperity they had long enjoyed, Americans better appreciated them, and were prepared to work hard to ensure their continued existence. Those in New York City volunteered for clean up at Ground Zero. Elsewhere, individuals began volunteering, both for 9/11-related charities and local causes. Thousands returned to the churches of their childhood, trying to make sense of what happened. By some estimates, nearly half of adults attended a religious service the Sunday following 9/11. Charitable donations went up as well, with Americans giving about $2.8 billion to help those affected by the terror attacks.

What to Remember

The September 11 memorial that now stands where the towers once did is designed to help visitors never forget that historic day. Entering the site, they must follow a path that leads to a museum pavilion dedicated to the unforgettable day, with the nation’s tallest building towering in front of them.

In addition, waterfalls drop into two square pools set into the footprints of where the twin towers once stood. The pools are ringed with bronze plates carrying the names of attack victims. Trees line the entire memorial.

With each anniversary of September 11, we call to mind the events of that day. We remember the horror we felt as the towers crashed, the sadness of mourning loved ones, and the renewed appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy.

But just remembering the event is not enough. America must learn lessons. It will take a period of hardship to alert the United States to what is blocking God from blessing it.

September 11 was the front edge of a time of trouble soon to overtake America. This coming period of continuous calamity will be one that future generations will truly never forget.

Those who learn the lessons from what is occurring now, and from that historic and tragic September day, can escape—if they remember God is the only source of blessings and learn to obey Him by living His Way now.”

Excerpts from: https://realtruth.org/articles/110907-002.html

For a fuller picture of what is foretold to occur, read America and Britain in Prophecy.

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What Makes a Hero?

Reflections on the tragedy of 9/11, and the heroes who gave all they could.

YouTube video: https://youtu.be/cxahPUFL1eI

Transcript

[Darris McNeely] “Have you ever asked the question or had a discussion, what makes a hero? I’ve discussed this with close friends many times through the years, as we look at either stories or real-life people that we come in contact with, and defining a hero – always an interesting discussion.

The fifteenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on America are upon us here in 2016. And there is always a great deal of reflection, it seems every year, on the anniversary of 9/11, when nearly 3000 Americans lost their lives in New York, in Washington, and in Pennsylvania. Fifteen years on, people still remember people who – and the stories of individuals who died, who didn’t make it out of either the twin towers in New York City or the Pentagon or the airplane that went down in Shanksville, PA, and as I’ve read many stories about people and the situations that came up on that day, I never cease to be amazed and just touched by the stories of human bravery, of people who were ordinary people – people who could have gotten out of the twin towers, from their offices, and yet they stayed behind and went multiple times up and down stairwells to get their coworkers out, to get those who were in their charge out, and then didn’t make it out themselves.

I’ve talked to people who have – who lost neighbors and close friends. I’ve been to the memorial there in New York City, and as many as you have. And every time we are confronted with the anniversary of 9/11, and again, a story of human bravery, it touches us, it reminds us that we live in a very dangerous world, and all of us probably wonder are we any safer for the trillions of dollars that have been spent on safety for the American homeland.

But bringing it back to the personal level – what makes a hero? It’s a very good question to think about for all of us, as we remember those who did die on 9/11, and life goes on, asking ourselves what might we do? What is it that we do in our everyday lives? Are we honest? Do we live with integrity? Do we have care and concern? Do we have love for one another? Would we lay down our life for another person? Those are all big questions, and none of us really know what we might do when an emergency comes. But coming back to the anniversary of this significant event that still resonates in the psyche of Americans fifteen years later, is a moment for us all to think about what makes a hero.” From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-daily/what-makes-a-hero

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Remembering Heroic 9/11 Dogs

“On that day, 10,000 emergency workers sprang into action. Among those, 300 were humble dogs. Dogs trained for search and rescue, dogs trained to sniff bombs, and dogs trained to help comfort and heal — they dutifully set about the task of helping out their human friends.”

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Update:

A bit more work has been done in the guest house.  All the sheetrock on the new wall between the new bathroom and kitchen is up now, and there isn’t much more taping and floating to be done, but it won’t be finished just yet.  Roy had his hernia surgery last Friday so he is supposed to take it easy for a while.  We put soundproofing in the bathroom walls as it is close to the kitchen and living room.

My two SPCA foster cats, Nala and Midi (Midnight Lee) are still on display in the Cat Habitat at Conroe Petco looking for ‘'furever” homes.  For a month or so, there are four cats in the Habitat in four separate cages, and once a day an SPCA volunteer goes there to take care of them.  Sometimes one or two will be adopted, and if not they just go back to their foster homes.  My cats have been there for over 3 weeks now, and I miss them terribly, but I haven’t wanted to unsettle Nala by going to see them.  I am surprised that she is finally eating and seems to be enjoying all the attention there, as she was always so clingy to me.  I would like to see her in a permanent home before my time comes.  Midi adapts to new things like the Habitat very well, he’s been there several times, but I doubt if he will be adopted as he is black and 11 years old.

For the church potluck I made Roasted Veggies with red, white and blue potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and also a steamed kale in yogurt sauce salad.  I heard that steaming kale makes it taste better.

The Bible readings were Deut. 26:1-20:8, Isa.60:1-22, Matt. 13:1-23, and the Teaching was “Anchor”.  Our hope is a steadfast anchor for us to have eternal hope.  The sun was really scorching when I got there, but by the time we had eaten our potluck lunch, the rain had come and it was a cooler day.