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9- 11 Memories, Honor and Sacrifice

By Tammy Lankford,

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 GREC# 169695

September 10, 2011 08:13 AM

Of course I remember, like all Americans, where I was and what I was doing on September 11, 2001. Last night I was watching the news after Donald went to bed and I still cry every single time I watch coverage about that tragic day. It makes my chest hurt and it makes it hard for me to breathe. I am a very emotional and passionate person. Always have been, always will be. I feel very strongly that September 11th should be a day of honor.

Holiday? Not so much. Look what happened to Memorial Day. It began as a day for honoring our fallen soldiers and digressed to sheet sales at belks and car sales at the local dealerships and one of the best hot dog, hamburger, charcoal and beer selling weekends. I don't want September 11th to become that in the future.

a day fixed by law or custom on which ordinary business is suspended in commemoration of some event or in honor of some person.

any day of exemption from work ( distinguished from working day).

a time or period of exemption from any requirement, duty, assessment, etc.: New businesses may be granted a one-year tax holiday.

a religious feast day; holy day, especially any of several usually commemorative holy days observed in Judaism.

Sometimes, holidays. Chiefly British . a period of cessation from work or one of recreation; vacation.

The definition started out good. Honor, but like most holidays in America, the definition too digresses to "recreation; vacation" and September 11th should NEVER be about fun and games, beer drinking or a three day weekend.

I have never set foot in New York. I was supposed to visit the spring of 2002 with my daughter, but the Board of Education in my town canceled that trip my daughter's class was scheduled to take. I have been to Washington DC twice with my daughter. That day... it changed all of us. Even though I did not know anyone who lost their life that day, I have friends who lost family and friends. And in the years since I think of all the families that have lost loved ones, our entire world changed that day.

So what can I do? What should I do? I choose honor. I choose to respectfully honor all those lost. ALL THOSE LOST. I choose to honor those who are sick from working at Ground Zero to save lives. I choose to honor firefighters, first responders, port authorities, security guards and police officers. I choose to honor clergy. I choose to pray for our nation. I choose to pray for our soldiers. I choose to honor those who serve MY country in uniform. I choose HONOR, not a holiday. I will Never Forget.

My Donald Baker US Army 1989-2000 Currently working in law enforcement.

Abigail Register, (my daughter) EMT/Firefighter

Kaleb Chadwick, US Marine (currently serving overseas) my cousin

Eugene Hubert Firefighter (my uncle)

Spence Lankford US Naval Acadamy Professor (cousin)

Terrell Eugene Hubert, US Army (my Papa)

Ennis Howard Lankford, US Navy 1960- 1966 (My Daddy)

So it will be with sadness, HONOR and gratitude that I always remember. I am a very proud American. I treasure life and my family. I am a proud wife and a proud mother. I'm in awe of the work my husband, my daughter, my uncle, my cousins do every day. Please as you reflect in your own way September 11, 2001 remember my family members in your prayers too. I don't think we have to have "images" from that day to remember the horror, the fear, the sadness.

This song, by Alan Jackson always makes me reflect upon the loss. I find it very respectful and hope that September 11th will always be respected and not turn into a "holiday".

If you write a post for September 11th, you should post it on the Wall of Honor Group created for 9 11.

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Eileen Hsu

Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Manhattan, NY

LICENSED REAL ESTATE SALESPERSON

Tammy, I love your photos honoring the brave ones you know that is serving our country. I lost a dear friend on 911, I have dedicated my blog post today to him.

Sep 10, 2011 08:16 AM

Anna "Banana" Kruchten

HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ

602-380-4886

Tammy I too hope that it never turns into a holiday. That feels so trite and meaningless. Beautiful tribute and heartfelt story - thank you so much for sharing. I just wrote one as well and it took longer than any other post - so meany feeling go along with 9/11 thoughts and memories.

Featured in Banantude

Sep 10, 2011 08:31 AM

Nathan Tutas

Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Davenport, FL

Your Central Florida Real Estate Expert

This is a great tribute. I am of the opinion that it should be a holiday. But I also agree with you that it should be a day when we honor all of those thousands we have lost and not some commercialized event.

Sep 10, 2011 09:28 AM

Loreena and Michael Yeo

3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX

Real Estate Agents

Tammy, I dont want it to be another HOLIDAY. The issue is not those of us who remembers but those who are too young, perhaps some still not even born today cannot and will not understand the impact and how it had changed our lives. Should it turn into a holiday, it's another tail gate opportunity for perhaps those not born yet.

Sep 10, 2011 09:44 AM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Eileen- I know that was hard for you to write about. I'll be over to read it and thanks.

Anna- I had to "take a break" a few times to get through it. I literally ache just like I did that day. I liked your post very much.

Nate- First, thank you. It means a lot to me that you served. You have my gratitude and that of my family as well. And you know, if all just "did it" we could do away with the "commercializaion" crap being where it doesn't belong.

Loreena- I share your opinion 100%. Tailgating shoud be for football.

Sep 10, 2011 10:02 AM

Kathy Clulow

Uxbridge, ON

Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Tammy - I do not think a holiday is appropriate either but what is important is we leave a legacy of our feelings and memories of those close to us who stand or stood in harms way for the next generation as you have done here

Sep 10, 2011 01:02 PM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Kathy- I believe that too. I wonder what someone would think if they read this, say 50 years from now. Makes me widh I could see a post written by someone who like my Great Grandmother and her friends and neighbors.

Sep 10, 2011 01:10 PM

Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528

Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY

Real Estate Salesperson

Tammy, what a beautiful post and tribute to all of your loved ones who served and continue to serve. 9-11 is for remembering and paying tribute and not for celebrating. It's a day to honor and you did it so beautifully. Suggested!

Sep 10, 2011 03:17 PM

Vickie Slade

Colorado Landmark, Realtors - Boulder, CO

Service You Can Trust ~ Someone You Can Depend On

Tammy, I actually think it should be a holiday. Many people will honor the holiday for what it was intended, while there will be many who will not.

Sep 10, 2011 03:28 PM

Mona Gersky

MoonDancer Realty, Dillsboro,NC - Sylva, NC

GRI,IMSD-Taking the mystery out of real estate.

Hi Tammy - first what a beautiful weaving of your photos, so glad you are sharing them. Secondly, this day will live forever without it being a holiday. I shudder to think that 20 years from now if it did get turned into a holiday, every big box store having the week long 9/11 sales.

Sep 10, 2011 04:15 PM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Leah-Thanks and I believe it is a day that should be somber as well.

Vickie- Sad that people do commercialize.

Mona- I'm not so sure... ask a 15 to 25 year old when Pear Harbor Day is and what it means to them. Sadly, I think you won't like what you find.

Sep 10, 2011 04:21 PM

Alan Kent

Keller Williams Realty Lake Oconee - Greensboro, GA

Lake Oconee Real Estate

I will always remember where I was at that day. I was on I-20 on my way to work. I had a bad feeling at about 8:35 a.m., called my step-son, which I never do, and told him I had a bad feeling. He said he did too. I said I think it's about you, and asked if he was okay? He said yes. The planes hit. He died in a car wreck on 10/7/01. He had just turned 20 years old, and was turning his life around. So, that day has double feelings for me. I suggest that everyone watch the documentary by 2 French filmakers called 9/11. It was meant to be about rookie firemen, but became about that day with footage from inside the buildings.

GOD bless everyone that was touched that day...

Sep 11, 2011 07:38 AM

Mary Yonkers

Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA

Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Tammy--Very touching post with so many family members' photos. You touched my heart with pride as well as sadness for those who are not with us because of this and other tragic events.

Sep 11, 2011 08:42 AM

Sidney Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula

Realty Works Temecula - Temecula, CA

Realty Works Temecula

Tammy: Your family is full of service people, how amazing and proud you must be. Your daughter is really pretty too!

Sep 11, 2011 10:01 AM

Marie Westerman

Blanchard and Calhoun Real Estate/ Wilson Parker Homes - Evans, GA

New Homes Sales Specialist Evans GA REALTOR

Tammy that was such a wonderful heart felt way to put it all. No Sept 11 should never be a Holiday! Thanks for sharing all the great members that serve and have served us!

Sep 11, 2011 11:52 AM

Kristine Ginsberg

Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ

NJ Home Stager

Tammy - you should be so proud of your family members that contribute to our country, and as a private citizen I'd like you to tell each and everyone of them that I appreciate all they do to protect and serve the American People - without them, we wouldn't be the country we are. I so agree - this should never become a "holiday" but a day of remembrance to honor all those who perished on 9/11 as well as all service men and woman who give so freely (like your family.

Sep 11, 2011 12:19 PM

Tammy Lankford,

Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA

Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Alan- Yes, God Bless them.

Jane- I'm awful proud of her.

Marie- It was my blog therapy

Kristine- with the exception of my Papa I will pass along your message to them. And well since I think people in heaven know everything... he already knows what you think.

Sep 11, 2011 12:59 PM

Emmary Simpson

Las Cruces Homes and Land - Las Cruces, NM

Serving Las Cruces, NM

What a proud tradition of service your family has, Tammy. My hat is off to all of them!

Sep 12, 2011 03:33 AM

Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Your comments are so . . . right on! The "Memorial" Day sales sicken me. When people say "Happy Memorial Day" I don't even think they realize what they are saying.

Sep 12, 2011 05:40 AM