September 11 Memorial

Daddy's Girl

Nineteen years ago, on this day, the United States suffered a great loss. New York, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania were attacked with Boeing Airplanes. The first, American Airlines Flight 11, struck the North Tower at 8:46 AM, destroying it. The second, United Airlines Flight 175, struck the South Tower at 9:03 AM, destroying it. The third, American Airlines Flight 77, collapsed the western side of the Pentagon at 9:37 AM. The last, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field near Shawshank at 10:03 AM, after the passengers fought against the hijackers.

That day, the nation was taught to fear. We closed our doors, both in fear and memorial. Brave men and women went into the rubble to rescue those they could, some not coming out. Two thousand nine hundred ninety six (2,996) people died that day, crushed under the rubble of the Twin Towers and the World Trade Center.

Now, we take moments of silence as to never forget what happened that day. We will never forget those who died in this terrorist attack. We will never forget the victims or the people who went into the fire to save them.

So remember them; take your time in reading this beautiful poem and never forget the events of 9/11.

You may proceed

Her hair was up in a pony tail, her favorite dress tied with a bow.

Today was Daddy's Day at school, and she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her, that she probably should stay home.

Why the kids might not understand, if she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid; she knew just what to say.

What to tell her classmates of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried, for her to face this day alone.

And that was why once again, she tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school eager to tell them all.

About a dad she never sees; a dad who never calls.

There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet.

Children squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats.

One by one the teacher called a student from the class.

To introduce their daddy, as seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name, every child turned to stare.

Each of them was searching, for a man who wasn't there.

"Where's her daddy at?" she heard a boy call out.

"She probably doesn't have one," another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back, she heard a daddy say,

"Looks like another deadbeat dad, too busy to waste his day."

The words did not offend her, she smiled up at her Mom

And looked back at her teacher, who told her to go on.

And with hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak.

And out from the mouth of a child, came words incredibly unique.

"My Daddy couldn't be here, because he lives so far away.

But I know he wishes he could be, since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know.

All about my daddy, and how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories, he taught me to ride my bike.

He surprised me with pink roses, and taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes, and ice cream in a cone.

And though you cannot see him, I'm not standing here alone.

'Cause my daddy's always with me, even though we are apart;

I know because he told me, he'll forever be in my heart."

With that, her little hand reached up, and lay across her chest.

Feeling her own heartbeat, beneath her favorite dress.

And from somewhere in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears.

Proudly watching her daughter, who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love of a man not in her life.

Doing what was best for her, doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd.

She finished with a voice so soft, but its message clear and loud.

"I love my daddy very much, he's my shining star.

And if he could, he'd be here, but heaven's just too far.

You see he was a fireman and died just this past year

When airplanes hit the towers and taught Americans to fear.

But sometimes when I close my eyes, it's like he never went away."

And then she closed her eyes, and saw him there that day.

And to her mother's amazement, she witnessed with surprise.

A room full of daddies and children, all starting to close their eyes.

Who knows what they saw before them, who knows what they felt inside.

Perhaps for merely a second, they saw him at her side.

"I know you're with me Daddy," to the silence she called out.

And what happened next made believers, of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it, for each of their eyes had been closed.

But there on the desk beside her, was a fragrant long-stemmed pink rose.

And a child was blessed, if only for a moment, by the love of her shining star.

And given the gift of believing, that heaven is never too far.

...

September 11 echoes in the hearts of each and every member and ally of the United States. Its very name creates a feeling in the pit of our stomaches, reminding us of all that we lost that day.

It's been 19 years, and now we are facing another challenge: COVID 19. COVID 19 is taking even more lives than its predecessor; stifling more than 910,000 lives around the world. When this is over, we will do the same; we will remember. Whether or not we have physical memorials or a national day for it; we will remember.

But for now, we ride it out. We remember that we are united; as a nation and a world. And together, we will ride out this storm.

So the next time you see a person in need, help them as you can; whether that be helping them yourself or getting someone else. Because we are all in this together, and we are all we have.

It's 10:03 AM, time for my silence .