What if answering the call was
a death sentence, would you answer it?
What if the
risk was for someone you've never known?
Does
the sense of duty compel you to higher levels of
commitment to a cause?
September 11 will be the
day that will echo throughout this generation's lifetime.
It will continually stand as a period in our history where
the proverbial giant within our consciousness was awakened
from its slumber: The context of our comforts and beliefs,
which is the very fibre of our desires, was being assaulted
and this was foreign to us. Yet, in the midst of that
blackened confusion, only a few remained steadfast and rose
to the occasion.
Often when such a
traumatic event occurs, which seems to shake the
very foundation of our consciousness, we tend to
remember what we were doing during the time of, how
we felt because of it, who our focus was attentively
on, the timeline of when it happened, leaving only a
definitive answer to "Why" as being the only
unanswered question?
I know each one of us can
share mountains of stories, testimonials, and opinions
regarding September 11, but the chief question I want you to
focus on for this page is your state of mind after 9/11.
Following the
aftermath of the wanton death and destruction it was
recorded that the fatalities reached 2,993. To
some countries, 2,993 dead (in one catastrophe) may
not seem as horrific, but
when a
powerful, free-world nation, such as the U.S., is unusually attacked within her borders there's an indelible
impression made to which everyone takes notice.
I need to
refocus on the purpose of this site
I can go on and on, but
the chief focus of this page is based on the number 343.
This number carries a very special meaning for me. It
represents 343 firefighters, who dared to brave the flames
of Hades core in order to rescue as many as they could, but
died from the crumbled weight of the fallen towers. If
you've ever listened to the ceremonies of September 11 you
would hear a recital of all the names who perished by
reasons of the attack. They all deserve to be mentioned
however, on this site I am only focusing on 343.
My Testimony
On
September 11, everything was like an unimaginable dream.
During the live broadcast I felt both sick inside and
angered by the senseless, brutality of it all, but I suppose
that is the core reality of war: It seems to depend on what
side you're on.
Fast
forward to September 12, 2001, I recall being unable to
prevent a continuous, mental re-enactment of firefighter
after firefighter charging into the buildings with hopes of
saving more lives. Then the unimaginable happened – the
towers fell. The first thing that came out of my mouth was,
"Oh my God, oh my God! This can't be real! Oh God! NO!" I
felt so sick to my stomach. I was, hoping and praying that
in all that rubble and ash even one life would be
miraculously found somehow. But as I had reviewed again
what had transpired that morning my heart sank even further,
because deep down I knew I had to succumb to the fact that
they all died. I must have relived that moment a hundred
times,
remembering especially those who made that choice,
for duty’s sake, to sacrifice themselves in hopes of saving
even one more. I tell you my eyes watered with sorrow many
times the following days.
A Tribute: Lest We Forget
Their Sacrifices Made
So from this my song, Lest
We Forget Their Sacrifices Made, was birthed. I remember
vividly writing the first few lines –
“Their destiny was
fixed,
carved in marble
stone.
Their fate changed time
to thought,
to save lives beyond
their own.”
Then I had a mental block.
For reasons unknown, the words weren’t flowing
freely anymore, even though the tune was there.
So because I didn’t want to rush it, I put it on
the shelf unfinished.
July 2006
It wasn't until the summer
of 2006 did the passionate sensation of that song overwhelm
me again. This time it was stimulated by the numerous
broadcasts of our soldiers dying over seas, and we (who were
cradling that sense of comfort and ignorance again) were seemingly
either
forgetting or ignoring that we were in a war; that our
troops were sacrificing themselves for a cause that involved
us. How could I have forgotten what they meant?
I must never forget these heroes again. Then immediately, I
was reenergized to
return to my forgotten tune and complete it. Like our fire fighters these
soldiers answered the call, and were either being injured or
killed to protect our principles of liberty as a fundamental right
for all.
This tribute is just as
much for the fallen as it is for the present. All this
is to say they are not forgotten. Now I don't really
want to stay too long reliving painful memories, but I would
like only two things from you.
Request #1.
What was it like for you September 12, 2001?
Tell us about your September 12,
2001
Request #2.
I believe this song is an excellent melody that speaks
volumes to those who are willing to sacrifice for others.
Get yourself a copy of this song right now for only 99 cents
($.99)!
Besides generally and
personally praising our brave fire fighters who often risk
their lives for those they never knew on a continual basis,
I wanted to have another way of showing them that I don't
want to ever forget all that they do. This song does
this. The video that I created for our troops, past or
present, shows this also. I'm doing my best to answer
the call. Will you answer yours?
Click on the button
below, select and download your own memorable (audio - mp3) version of
Lest We Forget Their Sacrifices Made or only 99 cents!
Now it's your turn to answer the call.
