The LuLac Edition #937, Sept. 11th, 2009

PHOTO INDEX: USS NEW YORK.

911 AT 8

I had worked the all night shift at The Order Factory the now defunct call center on South Main Street in Wilkes Barre. Training a class during the time when the rest of the world was sleeping was not a sweat for me since I worked as an all night radio announcer in college. Prior to that shift, I worked the night classes subbing for a trainer who was sick. I heard about the 911 attacks listening to sports radio ESPN. I turned the TV on in time to see the second plane hit the tower. I wish I could say I was stunned but given the violent history I had seen growing up in the 60s that was pretty much impossible. Tragedies are tragedies. But 911 resonates because civilians minding their own business, living their own lives. Many unaware of the geopolitical way the world works were slaughtered. That is something we should never forget. It’s 8 years today but even if our country lasts for 80, 800, or 8,000 more years……we should never forget that one fact.

USS NEW YORK

IMy cousin Barbara in New York sent me this through the e mail a few months ago. I bet sometimes she thinks I don’t read them but I do. It is fitting that this vessel will be at port in NYC. She will be arriving in NY harbor on Nov 1, 2009 and commissioned in the US Navy Nov. 7.If you are planning a trip to NY, you will be able to tour the ship during that week. The USS New York was built with 24 tons of scrap steel from the World Trade Center. It is the fifth in a new class of warship - designed for missions that include special operations against terrorists. It will carry a crew of 360 sailors and 700 combat-ready Marines to be delivered ashore by helicopters and assault craft.Steel from the World Trade Center was melted down in a foundry in Amite, LA to cast the ship's bow section. When it was poured into the molds on Sept 9, 2003, 'those big rough steelworkers treated it with total reverence,' recalled Navy Capt. Kevin Wensing, who was there. 'It was a spiritual moment for everybody there.'Junior Chavers, foundry operations manager, said that when the trade center steel first arrived, he touched it with his hand and the 'hair on my neck stood up.' 'It had a big meaning to it for all of us,' he said 'They knocked us down. They can't keep us down.We're going to be back.'The ship's motto? 'Never Forget'

BUSH IN NEW YORK

A few days after the attack, President George W. Bush inspired the nation with his short address to the rescue and recovery workers. The style that got him into politics prevailed.


BUSH AT THE STADIUM

After the call center in my new job I worked with a middle aged man who could only be described as the ultimate nervous Nellie. Two years after 911, the guy dove for his desk whenever there was a loud noise. He repeatedly said after 911 he didn’t feel safe. After I recommended counseling (which is a stretch for me because you readers know how I feel about the Psych profession) and mentioned that it would be highly unlikely that terrorists would focus on our crummy little building on River Street in Plains I asked him how he left his house after 911. He said he didn’t. Was totally afraid until he saw the President throw out the first pitch at the World Series. He said it showed him that the President, the biggest target at the time was unafraid. That action inspired him. President Bush’s move was gutsy and just what the country needed. Here’s film of that day from YOU TUBE.


FLIGHT 93

Let us not forget the brave people on Flight 93. They proved that day that heroes are not born, they emerge when danger rears its head. Then bravery is summoned and the call is answered.