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.
1.
a day fixed by law or custom on which ordinary business is suspended in commemoration of some event or in honor of some person.
2.
any day of exemption from work ( distinguished from working day).
3.
a time or period of exemption from any requirement, duty, assessment, etc.: New businesses may be granted a one-year tax holiday.
4.
a religious feast day; holy day, especially any of several usually commemorative holy days observed in Judaism.
5.
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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