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.

A George W. Bush Republican

 

President George W. Bush on Air Force One, 9/11/2001.

The front page of the Washington Post has a story about former President George W. Bush with the well-known photo from 9/11/2001 aboard Air Force One, after America had been attacked by Muslim terrorists, on his way from Florida back to Washington, D.C. It is one of my favorite photos of W who became a wartime president in the first year of his administration. His common sense bipartisan leadership is a template for Republicans especially in the partisan-charged atmosphere of current politics.

George W. Bush's leadership comes in many forms ... determined, compassionate, principled, humble, witty, pragmatic, optimistic, persistent, gracious, honest, intelligent, likeable, down-to-earth, inclusive, willingness to make the tough decisions and accept the blow-back without blaming others, and a trait rarely seen in politics -- loyalty.

He had a vision for America. He never apologized for America. He didn't do all the talking ... he listened. He didn't trash people in public dialogue. President Bush didn't just talk diversity ... he practiced it with great leaders like Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice.

He made a promise after 9/11 to protect the Homeland. He kept America safe. His deep respect for military members and their families continues to this day, giving back privately in ways the public is unaware of.

I'm proud to identify myself as a George W. Bush Republican.

9/14/2001 ... President George W. Bush at Ground Zero

"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, called out 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!

We were in a different mindset on this day 12 years ago. This is a reminder that President Bush's remarks at a time when our nation was in deep mourning were comforting not only to those in New York City but also to those of us in the Shenandoah Valley.

May we never forget 9/11 ... and may God bless America.

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.

8:30 p.m. ... 9/11/2001 ... President Bush addresses the Nation

President George W. Bush addressed the Nation from the Oval Office. Excerpts of his remarks from the video:

Today our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and Federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.

These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our Nation into chaos and retreat, but they have failed. Our country is strong.

Today our Nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature. And we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.

Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.

The search is underway for those who are behind these evil acts. I've directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.


I appreciate so very much the Members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance. 

America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.


"A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. " 

Today our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and Federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.

9/11 ... may we never forget.

9/11 ... our American flags are flying

 

Our American flags are up ... not much of a breeze on this sunny, warm September day.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
September 11, 2013

10:28 a.m. ... 9/11 ... World Trade Center North Tower collapses

At 10:28 a.m. the north tower of the World Trade Center collapsed after burning for 102 minutes.

9/11 ... may we never forget.

10:28 a.m. ... 9/11/2001 ... World Trade Center South Tower collapses

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

9/11/01 ... may we never forget.

10:06 a.m. ... 9/11/2001 ... United Flight 93 goes down

The heroes of United Flight 93 were ordinary Americans who reacted in extraordinary times. On a hijacked airplane 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 the Pentagon, 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 Washington as had happened in New York City and Arlington's Pentagon, our family could have been one of the many mourning a lost one.

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 the 2011 commemorative 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.

We will never forget.

9:45 a.m. ... 9/11/2001 ... White House evacuated

The Twin Towers had been attacked by airplanes an hour earlier ... Pan Am Flight 77 had flown into the Pentagon ... and now United Flight 93 was being followed on radar flying toward Washington, D.C. No one was aware of the struggle going on inside that aircraft as passengers, aware of terrorism attacks earlier that morning, vowed to storm the cockpit and avoid whatever disaster the terrorist pilots had in mind.

The White House was evacuated at 9:45. Employees were urgently directed by Secret Service to leave the building and, as the evacuation was under way, it was stepped up as shouts told them to get away from the White House and Old Executive Office Building as fast as they could. Women took off their shoes and ran in their stocking feet out the White House grounds and onto the street and down the sidewalk. One of them was my sister.

Flight 93 would go down at 10:06 a.m. taking the brave souls with it who prevented further national tragedy. May we never forget the herorism of those on Flight 93.

9/11/2001 ... may we never forget.

9:37 a.m. ... 9/11/2001 ... Pentagon attacked

9:37 a.m. The Pentagon located in Arlington, Virginia ... the military nerve center of the United States ... was struck by terrorism as the terrorist attacks on America continued....

9/11 ... may we never forget.

8:55 a.m. ... 9/11/2001 ... President George W. Bush told of World Trade Center attack

8:55 a.m. Chief of Staff Andy Card informed President George W. Bush that an airplane had flown into the World Trade Center. The President was visiting a classroom in Sarasota, Florida, and kept a calm demeanor to not alarm the young students.

9/11 ... may we never forget.

Governor Bob McDonnell: 9/11 a day of remembrance, patriotism, and prayer

On the 12th anniversary of the terrorism attacks that came to America on September 11, 2001, Virginia's Governor Bob McDonnell called on his fellow citizens to pause at 9:37 a.m. to remember when American Airlines Flight 77 impacted with the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia.

Today has been proclaimed a Day of Remembrance, Patriotism and Prayer in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

9/11 Day of Remembrance, Patriotism and Prayer

WHEREAS, the events of September 11, 2001 profoundly affected - and continue to affect - all aspects of our society, and the lives of Virginians, Americans and people across the world were changed forever following the destruction of the World Trade Center complex in New York City, the attack against the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the crash of Flight 93 in Stonycreek Township, Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, twelve years later the citizens of our Commonwealth and these United States continue to mourn for the more than three thousand innocent voices that were tragically silenced-including 184 in Virginia at the Pentagon-by terrorists on that infamous day of death and destruction; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative that we never forget our shock and revulsion at the needless destruction, the bravery of our first responders who risked all for their neighbors, our anguish from the sudden loss of so many precious lives, or how we as a people did not succumb to a state of fear as the terrorists intended, but instead set aside our differences and united as patriots in our country's hour of need; and

WHEREAS, while we reflect upon the memory of the departed, it is important that we also pause to remember and honor the sacrifices of all those members of our armed forces who have given their lives in heroic service to our country and all members of our military who have volunteered to bring those responsible for the 9/11 attacks and their supporters to justice during the Global War on Terror; and

WHEREAS, prayer has long served as a measure of our nation's strong heritage of faith and has been an indispensable source of moral and spiritual guidance for citizens throughout our Commonwealth's history, and it is fitting that our Commonwealth reserve a day in which our citizens may reflect and mourn - consistent with their own faith traditions - with those who have suffered as a result of terrorism, to humbly ask God for the strength and fortitude necessary to protect our lives, liberty and property from future transgressions, and to give thanks for the freedoms with which we as a people are fortunate enough to be blessed;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert F. McDonnell, do hereby recognize September 11, 2013 as a DAY OF REMEMBRANCE, PATRIOTISM AND PRAYER in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens; and

FURTHERMORE, I urge all citizens of our Commonwealth to display the flag of the United States of America wherever possible, and I invite all to witness a one-minute, statewide Moment of Silence starting at 9:37 AM - when American Airlines Flight 77 impacted with the Pentagon in our County of Arlington - and I encourage all Virginians to reflect upon the lives lost and heroic sacrifices made on that fateful eleventh day of September.

8:46 a.m. ... 9/11/2001 ... America is under attack as World Trade Center is hit

"We've defeated freedom's enemies before, and we will defeat them again. ... There is a difference between being alert and being intimidated and this great nation will never be intimidated." 

- President George W. Bush, 2001

8:46 a.m. It began with first one tower and then the other of the World Trade Center hit by commercial airliners. America was under attack.


It has been twelve years since the worst terrorist attacks ever on American soil on September 11, 2001, a beautiful morning in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New York City. Most can remember where they were when they heard the news of commercial airplanes hijacked by al-Qaeda terrorists hitting the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and crashing into a Pennsylvania field on its way to destroy the U.S. Capitol or White House in D.C.

Twelve years later the emotions are still raw for those who were affected by that day. While the memory has faded for some and a younger generation was too little for it to be significant, others will never forget.

On September 11, 2001, terrorists killed 3,030 people and 2,337 were injured. The oldest victim was 85 years old; the youngest was two years old and on her way to Disneyland.

Those 3,030 lost souls were from more than 90 nations; most were Americans. Sadly, 3,051 children lost a parent while 1,609 adults lost a spouse or partner.

New York City lost 343 firefighters and paramedics, and 75 NYPD officers perished. The ones who survived have deep emotional memories of that day.

Over 20 percent of Americans knew someone who was hurt or killed on 9/11. The resulting fires at the World Trade Center burned until December, 99 days after the attacks. More than 300 firefighters went on leave from respiratory problems as of January 2002; more have had problems in the years since. Clearing the sites involved removing 1,506,124 tons of debris.

The Pentagon, one of the most secure buildings in the world, was hit by hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 resulting in 124 deaths and 76 injuries at the Pentagon in addition to the loss of 64 passengers on the plane.

United Airlines Flight 93 spiraled into the ground outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania, taking with it 40 souls who fought back and prevented additional national tragedy when the plane did not reach Washington, DC.

President George W. Bush addressed the nation that night and promised to protect the American people and hunt down those responsible, saying, "Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve."

Today thank a military member, firefighter, police officer, and other First Responders ... say a prayer for those who were lost and their families ... educate the younger generation so they will be alert to this always-present danger ... and never forget.

9/11/2001: May we never forget.

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.

Frank Wolf: Benghazi survivors forced to sign non-disclosure agreements

Stunning news was delivered today on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives by Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf (R-10th District) who had questioned earlier this week why no survivors of the Benghazi, Libya, terrorist attack had testified publicly before Congress.

The September 11, 2012, attack on the American Embassy resulted in the deaths of four Americans including U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens, U.S. Foreign Service Information Officer Sean Smith, and two embassy security officers who were former U.S. Navy Seals, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty. Questions have been raised with some allegations the White House tried to cover up what happened that night.

The Weekly Standard reported Wolf's remarks from the floor of the House as he revealed the answer to his question:

"According to trusted sources that have contacted my office, many if not all of the survivors of the Benghazi attacks along with others at the Department of Defense, the CIA have been asked or directed to sign additional non-disclosure agreements about their involvement in the Benghazi attacks. Some of these new NDAs, as they call them, I have been told were signed as recently as this summer."

He went on to say:

"If these reports are accurate, this would be a stunning revelation to any member of Congress, any member of Congress that finds this out and also more importantly to the American people. It also raises serious concerns about the priority of the administration's efforts to silence those with knowledge of the Benghazi attack in response."

Wolf said he supported a Select Committee, along with 159 of his colleagues, to learn what happened the night of September 11, 2012, in Benghazi.

Illegal immigration and the southern border

Immigration problems are probably best illustrated by the southern border of the United States where lawlessness prevails in many places. Last week an American rancher and his dog were shot and killed by an illegal, further illustrating the increasing danger to Americans.

Roger Hedgecock has written an in-depth article for Human Events about the very troubling issues concerning illegals crossing the border:

Rancher Rob Krentz spent his life working on his 35,000-acre cattle ranch by the border with Mexico in Cochise County, Ariz. His family had owned the ranch since 1907.

He died there last weekend, he and his dog shot by an illegal alien that he was trying to help.

Even the volunteer Minutemen organization has disbanded:

The Minutemen, organized as a "neighborhood watch" on the border five years ago, recently disbanded citing increased violence from the smugglers. Incursions into the U.S. by what appears to be Mexican Army personnel protecting drug smugglers have become frequent.

Mr. Hedgecock writes, "The smugglers are bold and well armed. They steal vehicles, invade ranch houses, trash the countryside, set fires, and bring all manner of contraband into the U.S."

How are states along the border responding?

After the murder of Rob Krentz, Arizona Republican Gov. Jan Brewer this week called on the President to heed her call (and that of the governors of New Mexico, California, and Texas) to place National Guard troops on the border to restore order. Arizonans were quick to point out that the governor could call out the Arizona Guard herself. What’s she waiting for?

Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry faced similar calls for action when U.S. consular employees were gunned down two weeks ago in the streets of Juarez, Mexico, across the bridge from El Paso, Texas. What’s he waiting for?

Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico is not waiting for Obama. He’s ordered state law enforcement to the Mexico-New Mexico border

Amnesty champion Arizona Sen. John McCain, facing a formidable challenge in the Republican primary from former congressman and border security advocate J.D. Hayworth, also called on President Obama to call out the National Guard and control the border.

Is all this outrage from politicians just more of the same blather we hear everytime some outrage occurs along the border? Or will Rob Krentz’ murder finally spark the public firestorm that will bring security to our border with Mexico.

This would appear to be a national problem, not just an issue to be faced by the border states. Our national safety is in question. The rancher who was killed had described 11 years earlier how he had found Muslim prayer rugs and a Koran on his property ... a mere two short years before the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

Read the entire article here. It reveals just the tip of the iceberg.

Cross-posted at Virginia Virtucon

Cyberspies

The threat of terrorism is still very real even though stories of it does not occupy much space with mainstream media these days. Today's Wall Street Journal, however, reports cyberspying on our electrical grids that could lead to a disruptive cyberattack in the future:

Last year, a senior Central Intelligence Agency official, Tom Donohue, told a meeting of utility company representatives in New Orleans that a cyberattack had taken out power equipment in multiple regions outside the U.S. The outage was followed with extortion demands, he said.

The U.S. electrical grid comprises three separate electric networks, covering the East, the West and Texas. Each includes many thousands of miles of transmission lines, power plants and substations. The flow of power is controlled by local utilities or regional transmission organizations. The growing reliance of utilities on Internet-based communication has increased the vulnerability of control systems to spies and hackers, according to government reports.

The sophistication of the U.S. intrusions -- which extend beyond electric to other key infrastructure systems -- suggests that China and Russia are mainly responsible, according to intelligence officials and cybersecurity specialists. While terrorist groups could develop the ability to penetrate U.S. infrastructure, they don't appear to have yet mounted attacks, these officials say.

Government officials are working to plug security holes ... read the article here.

Terrorist attacks had been expected by intelligence sources

Jihad Watch reported that "Western intelligence services have been expecting an al-Quada spectacular terrorist attack in this crucial period between the end of President George Bush's administration and the succession of Barack Obama."

It happened today in Mumbai, India. It is being threatened for New York subways and railroads.

Seven years of no terrorist attacks during President George W. Bush's time in office ... we should count our blessings.