Remembering 9-11

I had driven to work ( I managed a furniture store ) on the day of September 11th, 2001, listening to a pre-taped Christian radio program, as was my morning ritual. When I arrived at work, one of my co-workers said, "did you see what happened ?" Oblivious, I had no idea what was going on. I asked my friend and co worker Berk "what ?" He said we were under attack. That one of the trade towers had just fallen, the other had been hit by an airplane as well, and that the Pentagon had been hit, and there were planes still in the sky.

We rushed upstairs as the other furniture warehouse that shared our building had a TV. To my horror I watched the second building fall down. I saw the people jumping to avoid the flames. I remember all of us crying and hugging at work. I worked with all men. All of us cried. The men that I worked for were Turkish. Nevzat and Maharran. Berk, Sadri and Murat were also from Turkey. Two more guys from Honduras, Miguel and Rodger. The eight of us cried. I say this again, because 4 of us were Muslim, 2 were Catholic, One of us was Christian ( me ) , and One an atheist. We had come from Three Countries, and Three religions and all of us Cried for America, for the people that died that day.

Do I believe that all Muslims are Extreme ? No.

Do I believe they should put a Mosque so close to the Graveyard of our murdered citizens ? Heck No !!

My friends loved this Country, and hurt WITH us. I want to share this, because the reason they loved this country, was the Friends that they had made here. Americans.

As we stop and think on what we lost that day. The many innocent people, and really, we lost Our innocence as a Nation.........The point I want to make, Is right now, things are REALLY heated up across our Country. People's tempers are flaring, anger is fanning, and we just need to take a breath and start ONE PERSON AT A TIME. Find something in Common. Look for the Good. Does that mean being Politically correct ? NO ! We NEED to speak out. Some things need protesting, Our voices need to be heard. But while doing all of that, we need to INCLUDE our fellow Americans in that voice. Some of us are Muslim, some of us Catholic, Some of us Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Mormon and Atheist. Republican, Democrats and Independents. We come together from MANY Countries. That is America. No one owns any more of it than the other. My Flag, is Your flag. Thank you to The Firefighters that searched tirelessly for survivors, The Police, city workers and construction workers. Thank you to the Dr's and hospital staff that rushed to work that day, all of these people leaving their Own families at home while they rushed out to help others. Thank you to the families of 9-11 that have to face each day without their loved ones, but do it Bravely. Thank you Mayor Giuliani for leading your City with such love and perseverance.

I know this will make some mad, But THANK you, Mr President, for quickly speaking to us that night. For calming our fears. For stepping up. And Mostly, for Praying for Us.
And assuring us, that Victory is with the Good. Even if it takes years you said, Victory will be Ours. And it will be.

May God Bless America !


Hugs,

Rhea