13th anniversary of 9/11 remembered at LynnRMitchell.com

At LynnRMitchell.com, we have dedicated this day to the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorism attacks. From guest posts to a timeline of the tragic events of that day, it is a continuation of an annual remembrance that affected millions of people. Posts will continue into the night. Here are links to posts published at this time:

Guest posts: 
- Vonda Lacey, local military mom and friend: A military mom reflects on the anniversary of 9/11
- Donald Williams, a friend who worked in President George W. Bush's administration: 9/11: Never forget American under attack, those who perished, and the heroes of that day
- Patricia Kennedy Birdsall, Texas friend and volunteer: 'Never again' begins with you

 More posts:
- 8:30 p.m. President Bush addresses the nation
- 9/11 remembered at University of Virginia
- President George W. Bush and the bullhorn speech
- GWB and 9/11: America is not weak
- 9/11: Thank you, NYPD
- President George W. Bush's emotional 9/11 National Cathedral speech
- 10:28 a.m. World Trade Center South Tower collapses
- 10:06 a.m. United Flight 93goes down
- 9:45 a.m. White House evacuated
- 9:37 a.m. The Pentagon is hit
- 8:45 a.m. America is under attack as World Trade Center is hit

On eve of 9/11 anniversary, Americans feel less safe

On the eve of the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorism attacks, Americans feel less safe in the wake of weak leadership, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll that revealed:

Read more here.

Gilmore: Balancing Homeland Security and Civil Liberties

By Governor Jim Gilmore
Washington Examiner
March 7, 2014

Our country is currently in a struggle between the need to protect our citizens from terrorism and the need to protect the civil liberties of our citizens. How can we do both while not sacrificing either?

During my five years as chairman of the National Commission on Homeland Security, we analyzed and debated issues of national security and presented our finding to the president and Congress, which became the framework for the Department of Homeland Security.

America must never make the mistake of sacrificing liberty for security. However, an equally severe mistake would be to give up the ability to track the enemy because of a fear of government. This duality of purpose demands oversight, not dismantling.

While our security focus has been primarily on non-state entities such as al Qaeda, the past several weeks in Ukraine have been a sobering reminder of the threat we face from state actors as well. The easiest way for such entities to circumvent our security is by revealing the tools we use in order to protect our country.

A perfect example of this are the crimes committed by Edward Snowden. Some would argue he is a patriot. I can tell you those people are dead wrong. Mr. Snowden swore an oath to protect his country and, in turn, was given the trust of America.

Sen. Robert Menendez, New Jersey Democrat, said it best:

“Edward Snowden is not a whistleblower worthy of protection, but a fugitive deserving of prosecution. He violated his sworn pledge to protect classified information. He jeopardized our national security. And he betrayed the trust of the American people. This man is no hero.”

Mr. Snowden’s traitorous act is a perfect example of the dual threat we face from state and non-state actors. His actions helped al Qaeda by revealing a program used to track terrorists, while at the same time giving the world’s largest bully a propaganda tool used to legitimize its actions.

Throughout our history, the United States has committed itself to thought leadership, but today the world is more dangerous than it has ever been, and we have to do even more than we have ever done to combat the challenges we face in an unstable world.

In today’s world, we continue to have the potential for a dangerous national conflict, but we have a new construct in which international organizations grow beyond borders and endanger and threaten our country and other countries as well.

We have been staring into the face of this struggle since Sept. 11, 2001, when the Pentagon was struck in my home state of Virginia. Now we live in a more interconnected world with advanced techniques of reconnaissance and communication, intelligence-gathering and the Internet.

We are now faced with the challenge of protecting the civil liberties of our citizens while being able to successfully put our foot on the throats of terrorists who want to destroy our most sacred institutions.

As chairman of the National Commission on Homeland Security, I brought the issue of protecting our civil liberties to the forefront of the national conversation and helped establish and implement the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board.

This panel was tasked with ensuring that liberty concerns are appropriately considered when implementing laws, regulations and policies used to successfully protect America against terrorism.

There are some assertions that perhaps our policies have gone too far in the wake of Sept. 11, but we believe in the well-being of our people, and we must act to ensure that our civil liberties are once again central to the national conversation about the mass collection of data.

I suggest that the intelligence community talk more about these challenges and what might happen, so if another Sept. 11-type attack occurs, the American people can shake it off and maintain their coherent narrative of who they are and what kind of people they will be.

The citizens of the United States are not yet fully engaged in the entire defense of the nation that will be necessary in the 21st century.

If the advantages of our free people are brought to bear, then even though we live in a new and dangerous world, I promise you we will prevail. We will continue to be a beacon of hope to the world.

Jim Gilmore is the president and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation. He served as the 68th governor of Virginia and 59th chairman of the Republican National Committee.

The eve of 9/11

It's the day before September 11th. This year marks 12 years since that beautiful September day when terrorists attacked America, killing 3,000 innocent souls and destroying the Twin Towers with two jet airliners while also ramming a jet into the Pentagon and into the countryside in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

I reflect every year. This one is no different even though it's been a dozen years since that day, but it's etched in my memory ... it will not escape my mind.

It bothers me that younger generations seem to already be detached from 9/11. After only 12 years. Why aren't they being taught of that tragic event?

Please fly an American flag on Wednesday in memory of those who died and as a tribute to our military, firefighters, police officers, First Responders, and everyone else who was on the front lines, not just on 9/11 but right on through today. Fly American flags at home, work, and anywhere you can.

And please don't forget what happened that day....

9/11, GWB, and the bullhorn speech ... may we never forget

It can never be said enough ... we cannot forget the terrorism attacks of 9/11 and the 3,000 innocent souls who perished that day. I hope those who were too young to be impacted by the events of that day will listen to those who were there.

"USA! USA! USA!" Spontaneous chants roared from the crowd of rescue workers on September 14, 2001, three days after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, as President George W. Bush stood at Ground Zero and, with bullhorn in hand, said the words that were heard around the world:

President Bush: Thank you all. I want you all to know -- it can't go any louder (referring to the bullhorn) -- I want you all to know that America today is on bended knee, in prayer for the people whose lives were lost here, for the workers who work here, for the families who mourn. The nation stands with the good people of New York City and New Jersey and Connecticut as we mourn the loss of thousands of our citizens

Rescue Worker: I can't hear you!

President Bush: I can hear you! I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people -- and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!

Rescue Workers: (Roar from the crowd) USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

President Bush: The nation sends its love and compassion ...

Rescue Worker: God bless America!

President Bush: ... to everybody who is here. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for making the nation proud, and may God bless America.

Rescue Workers: (Chanting) USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

May we never forget.

GWB: 'Soon the whole world will hear you'

Remember this photo? It was September 14, 2001 when President George W. Bush visited NYC after the terrorism attacks of 9/11 and stood at Ground Zero with Bob Beckwith, a member of the New York City Fire Department. Mr. Beckwith is now retired and visited the George W. Bush Presidential Center this week and saw the 9/11 exhibit for the first time. He had handed the bullhorn to the President and it is now on display in the museum. When you look at this photo, you are looking into the faces of leadership.

Bob Beckwith Visits the George W. Bush Presidential Center (8 photos)

9/11 Twin Towers steel to be part of George W. Bush Library

"Freedom itself was attacked this morning by a faceless coward, and freedom will be defended."
- President George W. Bush (9/11/01)

He was a war-time president so it seems only right that a huge chunk of twisted steel from the terrorism attacks on September 11, 2001, will become a permanent part of former President George W. Bush's library located in Texas. The almost-two ton, 17-foot piece of history will be one of the 43,000 artifacts that will be on display once the library opens:

The 16.7-foot, 1.85-ton piece of mangled steel isn’t just any relic from America’s hallowed ground — experts say it’s “impact steel,” struck directly by one of the hijacked jets that slammed into the Twin Towers on 9/11.

The attacks, that killed 3,000 innocent people, molded a presidency and a nation.

[The 9/11 steel] will share top billing with another 9/11 icon — the famous bullhorn Bush used when speaking to rescue workers from Ground Zero three days after the attacks. Several other mementos will also be on display, including Bush’s handwritten notes from his first public statement on the tragedy.

The library and institute are the repository for 70 million pieces of paper and 80 terabytes of electronic data, including 200 million emails. A full-scale reproduction of the Bush Oval Office will be featured, and Laura Bush has created a Texas rose garden and a North Texas native prairie.

But they all pale by comparison to an ugly piece of steel salvaged from the moment that changed a nation, a President, and all of us forever.

9/11 ... may we never forget.

Cross-posted at Bearing Drift

Remembering 9/11 ... faith, family, patriotism

Our American flags today against a blue sky that looked just as it did ten years ago
on September 11, 2001.

The tragic events of 9/11 were life-changing for millions, and I was no exception. Life became more urgent after the events of that day, and the years since have been spent helping those who would protect this country. Even now, ten years later, I can become overcome with emotion.

When the White House was evacuated on that fateful day, my sister, a member of President George W. Bush's communications team, was one of those who took off their shoes and ran for their lives as United Flight 93 approached the nation's capital.

My husband and I were vacationing in Colonial Williamsburg with our two teenage children when a Colonial interpreter told us of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks. I immediately stepped aside to call my mom in Richmond to see if she had heard from my sister. Amazingly, perhaps because her Austin cell phone was still routing through Texas, my sister was able to call and reassure my  mom that she was okay even as tens of thousands of others encountered jammed phone lines. The White House had been evacuated and stand-still traffic made escaping the nation's capital a nightmare. Hours later, she made it home and then waited to hear from her next-door neighbor who worked at the Pentagon. She later learned he had fled his office leaving phone and keys behind at his desk, and had walked home from D.C. to Bethesda. My sister has barely talked about that day ... it's still too raw ... but I am forever grateful to the heroes of Flight 93 who prevented a tragedy at the Capitol or White House.

Our much-anticipated Williamsburg vacation suddenly took a strange turn on that Tuesday, and all I could think of was going home. Tears flowed easily ... I was in touch with family and friends ... a patriotic, defensive streak came out in Americans who were ready to fight to defend the homeland. We were glued to the TV for updates.

With two children , however, who had looked forward to our planned visit to Busch Gardens Amusement Park on Friday, we made the decision to stay the remaining four days of our trip. We tried to make it as normal as possible for them although we stayed on high alert, never far from a news report, wondering along with the rest of the country if there was more to come.

For the first time, our backpacks were searched as we entered Busch Gardens. Little did we know it was the beginning of a new normal that was to expand and necessarily intrude in the years to come. At noon, the park ceased operation for a time of remembrance. Patrons lined the pathways and held hands as all bowed their heads in prayer, then listened to and sang along with Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" as it played over the park's intercom system. Tears streamed down the faces of strangers standing shoulder-to-shoulder who came together that week as Americans.

Afterward, as our kids headed for the roller coasters, we worried about snipers in such a high profile area. It was, after all, only four days since the terrorist plane attacks and all were aware that more terror could be planned. The day, however, was uneventful, and we headed home the next morning.

One memory that sticks in my mind is the sheer number of American flags waving after 9/11 on vehicles, on store fronts, on houses ... I had never seen so many flags flying in the USA. At home I had dozens of American flags but none with me on our trip, and when we checked at Williamsburg shops for anything red, white, and blue, everything was sold out. I was aching for a flag....

Back in the Shenandoah Valley, we were in church Sunday morning as a sanctuary packed with friends and strangers sought comforting words even as tears streamed down many faces. The most important thing of all was that we were home.

In the days, months, and years after 9/11, I held my children tighter ... my husband and I lingered in conversations a bit longer ... family and friends were dear and I pulled them close. The events on 9/11 reiterated the importance of those around us.

As America went to war to avenge the 3,000 innocent souls murdered on 9/11, we held Support the Troops rallies to show our public gratitude to our men and women in uniform who were protecting not only the United States but also our freedoms. We recognized our First Responders, the front line of America's defense. For almost ten years we have said good-bye to those going to war ... and embraced those who returned. We watched close family friends leave for battle and prayed for their safety.

We have grieved with military families who lost loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan, and flown American flags in their honor. Yellow ribbons have adorned our yards. We've sent packages to troops in harm's way and embraced their families at home.

I volunteered long hours on campaigns of political candidates who were strong on national security. In the middle of a war on terrorism, it was comforting to have a no-nonsense leader like President George W. Bush whose first priority was the safety of the American people.

The feelings of 9/11 have not faded for me. I've joined others with a 9/12 determination as the American spirit has survived and thrived after terrorism rocked our country. There's a hope that we will someday return to the unity that temporarily held our nation together after that grim Tuesday in September. Today, a beautiful day much like the one ten years ago, American flags wave at our house and we pray for all who lost loved ones on 9/11 and at war in the years since.

9/11 ... we will never forget.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
American flags at Mitchell family home
11 September 2011

9/11 ... friends remember that day

My parents' generation remembered where they were when they heard about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor that drew America into World War II.

I often ask people where they were when they heard about the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and this week I posed the question on Facebook. I thank them for sharing.

Pat Haley, my first political mentor, former chairman of the Staunton Republican Committee, and member of the Jim Gilmore administration: "I was sitting in a meeting with Governor Gilmore in Richmond when the first plane hit. The first report stated it was a small plane and probably an accident. When the second plane hit and then the Pentagon, Governor Gilmore sprang into action and took control of the Virginia forces. We were told that planes were over the Atlantic Ocean heading toward New York, Washington, and the Fed Bank in Richmond. I saw leadership in action!"

Keith Drake, former chairman of the Albermarle Republican Committee: "In a meeting in downtown Boston. It was very surreal."

Pam Michael, wife of former chairman of Augusta County Republican Committee Kurt Michael: "At home with the children and got a call from Kurt at school with the shocking news."

Luis Padilla, proud American originally from Honduras: "I will never forget what happened [ten years ago]. I was living in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, when muslim extremists killed many innocent people. I have friends who lost love ones that day. And for the first time I did not feel safe in this country. Thank God that we had a president who defended us regardless if some people supported his actions or not. This day will be in our history and I pray to God that it never happens again."

SallyAnn Gowen, Staunton resident: "I was driving down some cold interstate. My husband called me on my cell phone and I remember that my first thought was, 'Why's it such a big deal that a plane hit a building?' "

Pam Richmond, Augusta County teacher: "I was teaching a high school math class (Geometry). Because we were within about 4 miles of the Pentagon, we were put on lock-down. My classroom had a TV, so we watched, horrified, mesmerized. The next day, a boy laughed, said we deserved what we got. I knew I'd never be able to treat him fairly again, so I had him transferred to another teacher's Geometry class."

Deb Kirtland, Augusta County resident and fellow home school mom: "I was driving my son to piano lessons. It was shocking news and took a while to really sink in. We didn't get much school work done that day!"

Janice Berkey Bence, Augusta County resident and fellow home school mom: "I was in my car driving to Harrisonburg thinking what a pretty day it was ... before I heard the news."

Cindy Parr Potts, high school classmate who now lives in Kentucky: "I was teaching 8th grade Math and in the classroom. My husband called me and told me to turn on the tv. I did just in time to see the second plane hit."

Debbie Campbell Fayman, Chesterfield County resident and fellow high school classmate: "I was working in a client's home that morning. I had heard something on the car radio about a plane crash so when I arrived at the house I turned on the TV. The client and I watched together as the events unfolded. It was surreal. The client's daughter lived in Manhattan at the time. He was terrified for her safety. I don't think I got any work done that day."


Arthur Goggin, fellow high school classmate: "I was in Phoenix, Arizona, getting ready to hike the Grand Canyon rim to rim. A daunting day in our lives."

Dee Hubbard Simon, fellow high school classmate who now lives in North Carolina: "I lived in Princeton, NJ, near NY City. My husband worked on Park Ave and son worked in midtown in NY City. I heard about the 1st plane and called my husband at work. He hadn't heard a thing. Then I saw the 2nd plane hit the tower & knew immediately it was a terrorist attack. Lee, my twin sister called me & said the towers are leaning. I said NO WAY! But, she was right. DOWN they came. Very shocking. All the phones were down for hrs. Finally got an email that they were fine, but couldn't get off the island for a day or so. Mike said NY City the next day looked like a ghost town. He arrived home to heavily armed guards at the train station. Some of the people in our community never returned home. One of them was Todd Beamer (Let's Roll!). Their cars sat parked at the train station for days, weeks, decorated in flowers and sympathy notes. The community was in shock, very somber for a week or so. I could smell the burning buildings for weeks afterwards.

"My son's path train out of Jersey City was one that was buried under the rubble. Luckily he had gone to work earlier. My husband couldn't go to work for a week. A bomb threat was called in hourly on the building where he worked. Things were ...crazy! The sadness was overwhelming. Not too long after that our post office was the first one to discover Anthrax. A postal worker died. We stood over big trash cans outside with face mask and rubber gloves opening our irradiated mail. Have I mentioned how much I LOVE living in North Carolina now?"

Sheri Smith, Augusta County resident and fellow home school mom: "Just starting homeschool when we saw the news flash by on TV. Will never forget the beautiful bright blue sky outside our window that day as we watched in disbelief the devastation happening at THAT moment in our country."

Bob Kirchman, Augusta County resident, fellow home school dad, and fellow blogger: "I'd worked in the studio that morning. I noticed how beautiful the day was and decided to take a run later in the morning. I remember looking up at the blue sky, even thinking it would be a nice day to be up in a plane. A jet sailed high above me. It was one of those crisp September days you don't want to come inside from. When I came back from my run I learned that a plane had hit the first tower. Then we learned that the second plane had hit. The Pentagon had been hit too. Flight 93 bored into a field in Pennsylvania. We were being attacked with our own airplanes. It was time to pray. For the next few days the absence of airplanes was very noticeable."

Jeanine Martin, NoVa resident and fellow blogger: "I was home alone, one son had just begun his first year at UVA, one son in high school, and husband was on a business trip to Colorado Springs. I had no radio or television turned on. I knew nothing. Then my best friend called and told me to turn on the television, just in time to see the second plane slam into the second tower. The rest of the day, I spent on the computer and talking to friends while trying to get through to my husband and older son. It was so scary to be so close to DC and listen to planes patrolling the air. The whole day, week, month, year, was so frightening. I just wanted my family together, all in one place, all in one piece. My son came home from UVA on Friday and my husband was finally able to get a plane home on Saturday. He flew in to Dulles but his car, our family van, was stuck in a parking lot at Reagan National. It was closed and remained closed. So many bad memories. So much mourning for the loss of so many Americans in such a brutal way and mourning for the loss of my generation's innocence. We never thought something like that could happen in America! I kept thinking, this must be how my parents and grandparents felt on December 7, 1941.

Fonda C. Gardner, Staunton resident and fellow home school mom: "I was in the kitchen talking on the phone with my Aunt. She told me to turn on the TV because something horrible was happening! Saw the second building hit and watched both fall. I was homeschooling and Seth's friend Brian came over. We all sat in front of the TV watching one of the most horrible days in our history as a Nation. And now they want to make a mockery of that area."

Danny Allen, Staunton resident: "Myrtle Beach on vacation. Ended up with little shopping, and ordered room service- glued to the TV."

Beth Burgener Jenkins, Augusta County resident and fellow home school mom: "Teaching Preschool that morning -- wondering why all the parents were coming in and grabbing up their preschoolers because of a plane crash -- Little did we know at the time!!!! I'm sure they were thankful that they could hold them and that they were safe and sound! Sadness still seeps into my heart for the families who lost loved ones - not only with the devastation of the plane crash but with the rescue efforts after!!! HATE is such an evil thing!"

Juanita Ballenger, NoVa resident and fellow RPV State Central Committee member: "I remember particularly in DC, where I was working. I remember the man waving the American Flag on the 14th Street Bridge, and driving by the Pentagon as it was still burning."


Ron, fellow blogger: "We were on our way home from a vacation in Maine. That morning, we were in a hotel in New Jersey (having passed New York the day before) and saw on TV one of the WTC towers on fire because a plane had hit it. I was wondering what kind of an idiot would fly a plane into the building. Then we saw the second plane hit. Let's just say that driving past Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore was interesting that day. To think, I almost took a job on the 73rd floor of the North Tower!

"On our way home September 11, we had to stop for lunch (as our older son was 10 1/2 months old at the time) near Baltimore. Given the events of the day, I did not want to travel through ...the downtown tunnels and opted to go around the north side of the Baltimore Beltway. We stopped for lunch at a stereotypical Baltimore diner (the "Bel-Loc," I think) on Loch Raven Boulevard. The place looked like it was frozen in time from the early 1960s, except for the menu prices. A man who was obviously a regular patron came into the diner a few minutes after we did, and the servers were asking him why he wasn't having an operation that day. He was telling them that his operation was postponed because the hospital was anticipating having a crush of victims to treat that day (which didn't end up happening).

"We made it home (in Maryland, where we lived at the time) in the early afternoon, and our families were crazy with worry about us. We hadn't called because we did not have a cell phone with us.

"I might add that at the time, I worked in Crystal City and went to work on September 12. As I took the Metro Yellow Line over the Potomac River, I saw that everyone on the train just went silent and was looking at the (still burning) Pentagon with sadness and reverence. A lot of smoke drifted down to Crystal City and the place smelled like death.

"Later on I found out that a guy I knew in high school was on the plane that hit the Pentagon, and the son of a candidate I had supported many years before (and who had also gone to my high school) had worked for Cantor Fitzgerald and was killed in the destruction of the WTC South Tower."

9/11 ... may we never forget.

--Originally posted on 9/11/2010

10:28 am ... South Tower collapses on 9/11

10:28 am ... South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed on 9/11.

9/11 ... may we never forget.

10:06 am ... 9/11 ... United Flight 93 goes down

The heroes of Flight 93 were ordinary Americans who reacted in extraordinary times. On a hijacked plane heading toward Washington, D.C., possibly targeting the White House or the Capitol building, and with the knowledge of what had already occurred that morning with the Twin Towers and Pentagon, the passengers took matters into their own hands.

Ordinary citizens became heroes in their attempt to overtake the Muslum terrorists who had pirated the plane, and crashed it into the countryside of southwestern Pennsylvania.

I have written before of my special connection to Flight 93. My sister, a member of the George W. Bush administration, was at work in the White House that day. If Flight 93 had hit as had happened in NYC and the Pentagon, our family could have been one of the many mourning a lost family member.

This year, on the tenth anniversary of that tragic day, the crash site outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania, was formally dedicated as a permanent reminder of the courage and spirit of the Flight 93 heroes. President George W. Bush, in office only nine months when 9/11 happened, unexpectedly became a wartime president that day with a determination to protect the American people. He and Mrs. Bush attended Saturday's events, met with the families, and took part in the ceremony.

Forty extraordinary Americans ... my family will forever be grateful to the men and women of Flight 93 and their families for the heroism and sacrifice made that day.

Flight 93 had heroes on board....

Todd Beamer - "Let's roll!"
The 32-year-old Oracle Corp. account manager from Cranbury, N.J., was believed to have helped lead a passenger attack on Flight 93 hijackers that prevented the jet from reaching its target, possibly the White House. Beamer spoke to a GTE operator on the plane's phone. His final words -- "Are you guys ready? Let's roll!" -- have become a rallying cry for the war against terrorism. Beamer and his wife, Lisa, had two sons. His daughter, Morgan, was born in January of 2002. Beamer played baseball and basketball in college and loved coaching youth sports. President Bush, in an address to the nation, praised Beamer as "an exceptional man." Today, the Todd M. Beamer Foundation aims to help kids deal with trauma and learn how to make choices.

Thomas E. Burnett Jr.
Burnett called his wife, Deena, to tell her about the Flight 93 hijacking and said he and other passengers were "going to do something about it." Burnett, 38, of San Ramon, Calif., was senior vice president and chief operating officer of Thoratec Corp., a medical research and development company. His wife and three daughters moved to Arkansas afterwards to be closer to her parents. The new Thomas Burnett Family Foundation plans to provide endowments for children's bereavement camps and leadership scholarships at selected universities.

Jeremy Glick
Glick called his wife, Lyz, after terrorists took over Flight 93. She patched the call to a 911 dispatcher, who told Glick about earlier attacks in New York. Glick told his wife some passengers had taken a vote, and "We're going to rush the hijackers." Glick, 31, of West Milford, N.J., had been a collegiate judo champion at the University of Rochester. His older sister, Jennifer, is president of Jeremy's Heroes foundation which is devoted to helping people build character through sports. The foundation has supplied sneakers to kids in Chicago and paid for 20 children in Washington to attend a soccer camp.

"There but by the grace of God go I."

We will never forget.

9:59 am ... South Tower collapses on 9/11

At 9:59 am on 9/11, the South Tower of the World Trade Centers collapsed, less than an hour after being hit by a terrorist-hijacked airplane.

9/11 ... may we never forget.

9/11 ... I don't ever want to forget

My Facebook status a little while ago....

"The History Channel is showing "102 Minutes That Changed America," a documentary consisting of news footage from 9/11. It brings it all back -- the raw emotions and fear that time has tried to erase after ten years. I don't ever want to forget the terror of that day."

Today is a day of remembrance and mourning....

9:30 am ... Emma E. Booker Elementary School students learn of 9/11 attack

9:30 am ... President Bush speaks to staff and students at Emma E. Booker Elementary School in Sarasota, Florida, where he was visiting a classroom.

"Today we've had a national tragedy. Two airplanes have crashed into the World Trade Center in an apparent terrorist attack on our country.

"Terrorism against our nation will not stand. And now if you would join me in a moment of silence. May God bless the victims, their families, and America."

9/11 ... may we never forget.

9:05 am ... President Bush notified

9:05 am ... President George W. Bush, sitting in a Florida elementary school classroom, was notified of the unfolding terrorism attacks by Chief of Staff Andy Card.

9/11 ... may we never forget.

9:03 am ... second tower hit on 9/11

New Yorkers and television viewers nationwide watched in horror as a second plane hit the south tower of the World Trade Center.


9/11 ... may we never forget.

8:46 am ... First tower hit on 9/11

The North Tower of the Twin Trade Center was hit by an airplane at 8:46 a.m. in a terrorist attack that began the worst attack ever on American soil ... a day that would continue to see terrorists strike America as the morning unfolded.

9/11 ... may we never forget!

9/11/2001 ... Thank you, NYPD

In Memory and in Gratitude to New York City's Finest
This one's for you, Yankee Phil ... thank you for your 9/11 service.

On September 11, 2001, the New York City Police Department lost more officers in a single day than in any year previously. Twenty-three officers died in the smoldering collapse of the World Trade Center ... died saving hundreds of people from a burning inferno. Their sacrifice is not forgotten.

In memory of those who served with Yankee Phil and did not return ...

The 23 NYPD officers lost on 9/11:

JOHN G COUGHLIN, Sergeant
MICHAEL CURTIN, Sergeant
JOHN D'ALLARA, Police Officer
VINCENT G DANZ, Police Officer
JEROME M DOMINGUEZ, Police Officer
STEPHEN P DRISCOLL, Police Officer
MARK ELLIS, Police Officer
ROBERT FAZIO, Police Officer
RODNEY C GILLIS, Sergeant
RONALD KLOEPFER, Police Officer
THOMAS LANGONE, Police Officer
JAMES LEAHY, Police Officer
BRIAN G McDONNELL, Police Officer
JOHN WILLIAM PERRY, Police Officer
GLEN PETTIT, Police Officer
CLAUDE RICHARDS, Detective
TIMOTHY ROY, Sergeant
MOIRA SMITH, Police Officer
RAMON SUAREZ, Police Officer
PAUL TALTY, Police Officer
SANTOS VALENTIN Jr, Police Officer
JOSEPH VINCENT VIGIANO, Detective
WALTER WEAVER, Police Officer

We will not forget.

Remembering the passengers and crew of United Flight 93

Ten years ago on September 11, 2001 ... the forty passengers and crew members of United Flight 93 perished into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, when terrorists were overtaken by heroes to prevent an attack in Washington, DC, on the Capitol or White House.

There was one more innocent life lost that day. Passenger Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas was expecting a child ... that child is remembered ... 40 (+1).

The Flight 93 names were read at the beginning of the Flight 93 National Memorial dedication ceremony.

CREW
— Capt. Jason M. Dahl
— First Officer LeRoy Homer
— Lorraine G. Bay
— Sandy Waugh Bradshaw
— Wanda Anita Green
— CeeCee Ross Lyles
— Deborah Jacobs Welsh

PASSENGERS
— Christian Adams
— Todd M. Beamer
— Alan Anthony Beaven
— Mark Bingham
— Deora Frances Bodley
— Marion R. Britton
— Thomas E. Burnett, Jr.
— William Joseph Cashman
— Georgine Rose Corrigan
— Patricia Cushing
— Joseph DeLuca
— Patrick Joseph Driscoll
— Edward Porter Felt
— Jane C. Folger
— Colleen L. Fraser
— Andrew (Sonny) Garcia
— Jeremy Logan Glick
— Kristin Osterholm White Gould
— Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas and her unborn child
— Donald Freeman Greene
— Linda Gronlund
— Richard J. Guadagno
— Toshiya Kuge
— Hilda Marcin
— Waleska Martinez
— Nicole Carol Miller
— Louis J. Nacke II
— Donald Arthur Peterson
— Jean Hoadley Peterson
— Mark David Rothenberg
— Christine Ann Snyder
— John Talignani
— Honor Elizabeth Wainio

After the reading of the names, a piper played "Faith of Our Fathers" on the bagpipes as he walked along the Flight 93 memorial, and then merged into "Amazing Grace" against a backdrop of wildflowers in the rural Pennsylvania countryside. As he reverently made his way through the crowd, the strains of "Amazing Grace" faded away....

To the heroes ... thank you. We will never forget.

9/10 ... have you forgotten?

Are you one of those who has fallen back into a 9/10 mentality? "Have you forgotten how it felt that day? To see your homeland under fire and her people blown away? Have you forgotten when those towers fell, we had neighbors still inside going through a living hell ... have you forgotten?"

Photo: The Pentagon on 9/11/2001