A MEMORIAL from a POLICEMAN "For my fallen brothers who gave the ultimate sacrifice..." RFD ~ SEPTEMBER 11, 2001 ~ " Be not afraid. I go before you, always Come, follow Me and I will give you rest." On the morning of September 11th, 2001, the world was confronted with one of most shocking and sickening sights of modern times, when terrorism caused two of four hijacked planes to crash into the World Trade Center towers in New York. The impact and ensuing fire caused both of the 110 story buildings to plunge to earth, killing over 6,000 people. Over 70 Officers from a total of seven Local, State, and Federal agencies were killed. A federal wildlife officer was on the third hijacked plane which crashed into a field in rural Pennsylvania when the passengers attempted to retake control of the plane. Although it cannot be proven, it is assumed this officer assisted in the attempt to retake control of the plane. IS THIS NORMAL? By Max Lucado Four thousand gathered for mid-day prayer in a downtown cathedral. A NewYork City church, filled and emptied six times last Tuesday. The owner of a Manhattan tennis shoe store threw open his doors and gave running shoes to those fleeing the towers. People stood in lines to give blood, in hospitals to treat the sick, in sanctuaries to pray for the wounded. America was different this week. We wept for people we did not know. We sent money to families we've never seen. Talk-show hosts read Scriptures, journalists printed prayers. Our focus shifted from fashion hemlines and box scores to orphans and widows and the future of the world. We were different this week. Republicans stood next to Democrats. Catholics prayed with Jews. Skin color was covered by the ash of burning towers. This is a different country than it was a week ago. We're not as self-centered as we were. We're not as self-reliant as we were. Hands are out. Knees are bent. This is not normal. And I have to ask the question, " Do we want to go back to normal?" Are we being given a glimpse of a new way of life? Are we, as a nation,being reminded that the enemy is not each other and the power is not in ourselves and the future is not in our bank accounts? Could this unselfish prayerfulness be the way God intended for us to live all along? Maybe this, in His eyes, is the way we are called to live. And perhaps the best response to this tragedy is to refuse to go back to normal. Perhaps the best response is to follow the example of Tom Burnet. He was a passenger of flight 93. Minutes before the plane crashed in the fields of Pennsylvania , he reached his wife by cell phone. "We're all going to die," he told her, "but there are three of us who are going to do something about it." We can do something about it as well. We can resolve to care more. We can resolve to pray more. And we can resolve that God, being our helper, we'll never go back to normal again. Max Lucado ~ IN MEMORIAM ~ DO IT AGAIN, LORD Dear Lord, We're still hoping we'll wake up. We're still hoping we'll open a sleepy eye and think, "What a horrible dream." But we won't, will we, Father? What we saw was not a dream. Planes did gouge towers. Flames did consume our fortress. People did perish. It was no dream and, dear Father, we are sad. There is a ballet dancer who will no longer dance and a doctor who will no longer heal. A church has lost her priest, a classroom is minus a teacher. Cora ran a food pantry. Paige was a counselor and Dana, dearest Father, Dana was only three years old. (Who held her in those final moments?) We are sad, Father. For as the innocent are buried, our innocence is buried as well. We thought we were safe. Perhaps we should have known better. But we didn't. And so we come to You. We don't ask You for help; we beg You for it. We don't request it; we implore it. We know what you can do. We've read the accounts. We've pondered the stories and now we plead, Do it again,Lord. Do it again. Remember Joseph? You rescued him from the pit. You can do the same for us. Do it again, Lord. Remember the Hebrews in Egypt? You protected their children from the angel of death. We have children, too, Lord. Do it again. And Sarah? Remember her prayers? You heard them. Joshua? Remember his fears? You inspired him. The women at the tomb? Youresurrected their hope. The doubts of Thomas? You took them away. Do it again, Lord. Do it again. You changed Daniel from a captive into a king's counselor. You took Peter the fisherman and made him Peter, an apostle. Because of You, David went from leading sheep to leading armies. Do it again, Lord, for we need counselors today, Lord. We need apostles. We need leaders. Do it again, dear Lord. Most of all, do again what You did at Calvary. What we saw here last Tuesday, You saw there that Friday. Innocence slaughtered. Goodness murdered. Mothers weeping. Evil dancing. Just as the ash fell on our children, the darkness fell on Your Son. Just as our towers were shattered, the very Tower of Eternity was pierced. And by dusk, heaven's sweetest song was silent, buried behind a rock. But You did not waver, O Lord. You did not waver. After three days in a dark hole, You rolled the rock and rumbled the earth and turned the darkest Friday into the brightest Sunday. Do it again,Lord. Grant us a September Easter. We thank You, dear Father, for these hours of unity. Christians are praying with Jews. Republicans are standing with Democrats. Skin colors have been covered by the ash of burning buildings. We thank you for these hours of unity, And we thank You for these hours of prayer. The Enemy sought to bring us to our knees and succeeded. He had no idea, however, that we would kneel before You. And he has no idea what You can do. Let Your mercy be upon our President, Vice President, and their families. Grant to those who lead us ,wisdom beyond their years and experience. Have mercy upon the souls who have departed and the wounded who remain. and faith that we might believe. And look kindly upon Your church. For two thousand years, You've used her to heal a hurting world. Do it again, Lord. Do it again. Through Christ, Amen. (As written by Max Lucado for America Prays, a national prayer vigil held Saturday, September 14, 2001.) Permission to copy granted. Music "Be Not Afraid" by John Michael Talbot Thank you, BJS, MJ, JB, SGF and SH, for your contributions to this memorial, RFD (and ty Rich ~ s) ~~~ * Will you please sign our guestbook on our home page, so that we will know you were here? Thank You! Officer.Com: The Police Officer's Internet Directory Thank you for these awards. We are proud to receive them! TO SUBSCRIBE TO GOD BLESS AMERICA, CLICK HERE. TO CANCEL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION, CLICK HERE. TO JUST EMAIL GOD BLESS AMERICA, CLICK HERE. 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