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Another look at the impact of September 11, 2001

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Cornerstone Business Group Inc 0225086119

As we approach the anniversary of September 11, 2001, I have to reflect a bit.  On that morning, I had just returned from the gym and turned on the TV.  The first tower had just been hit and there was a lot of confusion about what had just happened.  Reporters were just starting to broadcast, and there were more unknowns than knowns.

I was telling my wife that it looked like a small plane had crashed into one of the twin towers and it was on fire.  Then I saw the second plane circling around to make impact.  Within seconds it hit the tower, and I followed that with the comment, "We're under attack."  As a Christian, I'm familiar with the voice of God, and instantly He said, "It's not over!"  That started a day of phone calls and prayer at our house.  Two of my good friends were commercial pilots.  One was taxiing in the plane behind the plane that hit the Pentagon.  I stayed engaged in those calls until I had accounted for all of my friends and family. 

That was the beginning of a new America.  The one I had grown up with was over, and a new country was about to emerge.  Within six months, I was in the former Soviet Union, and in a conversation with a dear friend, Yana Katsova, I said, "What the terrorists didn't understand is that they would have to kill all of us to kill the American spirit."  And Yana, in a simple, but classic response said, "That's the same thing they think."  She was probably right, but I wonder if the terrorists really knew who they attacked.

The United States of America isn't just a land mass.  Geographically, it might be, but the USA as we know it, is an ideal.  It is an idea born out of the hearts of men and women who longed for freedom and the free expression of their thoughts and ideas.   It's more than dirt.  It's a determination and a dedication in the hearts of its citizens that exceeds the bounds of fear and intimidation.

America is more than political parties, religious sects, tribalism and sectarianism.  America is the strength of the individual combined with an invisible bond to people known and unknown.  It is that bond that causes one individual to rise up to defend another simply because he is an American.  Strangers become allies when attacked by outside adversaries, and for that moment they are one.  They may return to totally disconnected lives in the days that follow, but in that one event they are brothers and sisters.

What the terrorists of 9/11 could never figure out is that an attack like that of September 11, 2001 only works to make us stronger.  Rather than cower in fear, an American rises in strength and an undaunted boldness that overcomes fear.  It empowers the American spirit to respond purposefully and justly.  When the hammer of justice slams down on the enemies of the American ideal an element of mercy rises to make sure that the measure of justice is just and not simply a response of flailing at invisible enemies who cannot be counted.  Sure there have been those who have abused that long arm of justice, but they are soon exposed and ostracized by the very people they assumed they would impress.  No, make no mistake, Americans are seekers of justice more that seekers of retribution.

The United States of America, even with all of her flaws and foibles is a great land.  She is still a light set upon a hill.  People from all over the world risk life and limb to land upon her shores.  She is the hope of many, the home to masses and the greatest idea and ideal mankind has ever seen.  God bless this great country.  God bless those who perished, and those they left behind, on September 11, 2001, and may we never forget what makes us great.

Comments (25)

Andrea Bedard
Thompson Company, REALTORS® 240.593.2860 - Silver Spring, MD
Fluent in Real Estate & German, M.A. ABR ASP CIPS

Hi Mike, I remember it as if it was yesterday. Tragedies like 9-11 do stay with us forever because they change the world as we knew it. I was interning at a local TV station in New Hampshire at that time and we were all called into the station immediately.

I remember my first thought: "another stupid Hollywood disaster movie"! It was just incomprehensible how anyone could cause so much death, pain and suffering.

Sep 10, 2012 12:35 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Andrea, just like 11 years ago, I will go to the same gym in the morning, come home and flick on the news while I get ready for work and hopefully never see anything like that again.  Those images are forever burned into my memory.  I am so thankful for those who took the fight to those responsible. 

Sep 10, 2012 01:50 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Beautifully written post and tribute to the people of the United States of America.  Remembering and praying for all of those who lost their lives that day because of this senseless attack.

Sep 10, 2012 08:06 PM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

I remember exactly where I was when my office manager's mother called to tell us to turn on the tv.....I agree, our lives will never be the same.

Sep 10, 2012 08:14 PM
Conrad Allen
Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA
Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Mike.  Very well said.  We live in a great country.

Sep 10, 2012 08:35 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Mike I think everyone will remember where they were on that day.  I wonder how much longer in time before someone says it did not happen just like the camps in WW II

 

Sep 10, 2012 09:08 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Thanks, Roger.  It changed us forever.

Wallace, it's like it happened yesterday.

Yes we do, Conrad. 

I'm sure that will pop up at some point, James.  Hate always finds a home. 

Sep 10, 2012 09:26 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Mike. Clearly, a day of such import will change the world forever. What each of us does daily does too.

Sep 10, 2012 09:33 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

You are so right, Sheila.  That's a great point.

Sep 10, 2012 10:36 PM
Cheryl Thomson REALTOR Ret Army
United Real Estate DC Metro Region (703.216.5635) cheryltee47@gmail.com - Prince William, VA
Associate Broker in Northern Virginia

We must know what our enemies are doing at all times...so this will never happen again.

Sep 10, 2012 11:10 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Beautifully stated.  That day, along with other tragedies America has undergone (Pearl Harbor to name another) have made the USA even stronger.  We do live in a great country.

Sep 10, 2012 11:12 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Amen, Cheryl.  We must be vigilant. 

Thanks, Kat.  Yes we do live in a great country. 

Sep 10, 2012 11:32 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Mike,

We all learned a lot that day and we are still learning. Life is precious. Hug your kids. Love the ones you love like you never loved them before. Today is promised to no one. Appreciate all that you have and take nothing for granted.

Peace to you.

Sep 11, 2012 12:44 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Well said, Patricia.

Sep 11, 2012 07:28 AM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Mike - Wanted to check out your other post (the featured one) first, but this one is just too important.  I don't want to add anything.  Well written, Sir.

Sep 11, 2012 11:30 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Thanks, Jason.

Sep 11, 2012 12:21 PM
Cathy Criado
Criado Realty - San Antonio, TX
Making Real Estate Profitable

God bless this great country. Enough said.

Thanks for sharing Mike, you always have such a way with words.

Sep 11, 2012 12:47 PM
Ashley Connolly
Northeast Water Wells Inc - Jaffrey, NH

Hi Mike

This is a great post that brings up alot of emotions from that fateful day.  All of us remember where we were and what we were doing when the attacks happened.  It is hard to fathom the amount of loss that so many people felt that day and my thoughts and prayers are with all of them on this 11th anniversary.

Sep 12, 2012 05:00 AM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

There's nothing to add. I posted pictures of a beautiful memorial we have here on Long Island. America remembers.

Sep 12, 2012 06:51 AM
Tammy Emineth
Personal SEO - Website SEO and Real Estate Marketing - Frenchtown, MT
Content Marketer, SEO Teacher, Website Fixer

Great post Mike, this should have been featured. I remember everyone being so mad while I was just sad that those people (the terrorists) died not knowing Jesus and now they will forever be without Him. I firmly believe that every person that died was given the chance to know Him at some point in their lives. This just stuck with me for days. Great blog....

Sep 13, 2012 11:09 AM