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September 10, 2006
9/11: God bless America
Landing in New York JFK airport in August of 2000, was something unbelievable for me, coming from a third world country. I was standing on the ground of the "Land of Freedom" looking at the Statue of Liberty.
In the few days that followed, I boarded with my priest friend who was assisting at the Our Lady of Victory's church on Wall Street. In the evening hours one of the places that we visited was the WTC. Upon the pavement we stretched ourselves and embraced the feeling what literally and figuratively WTC stood for.
A year later, when the planes were used as missiles against WTC towers, I was sitting at the Northwest Arkansas Community College attending my Spanish class. Unbelievable. I got out asap and went to my house on the hospital premises and like all other fellow citizens began to watch and watch and watch the incredible catastrophe that was forced on us by the terrorists.
Checking back with my priest friend on Wall Street, I heard about the heaps of ashes that were strewn from the bellowing towers that lost their anchors. I heard about my priest friend's ongoing involvement in the counseling triages that were set up. The magnitude of the tragedy only began to unfold.
Perhaps at that time we did not know who the culprits were, but five years later, we certainly are aware of the operatives of terrorism that is supported by the religious fundamentalism. Will God ever reward the so-called suicide bombers for their heroism...a world or fundamentalism gone bezurk! If there is heaven to be attained then let us make it happen here.
Sadly enough, all of the families who have lost their dear ones are never going to recover. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they have to come to terms with their loss at each anniversary. But one good thing happened out of tragedy. At the same time, "One nation under God", "God bless America" resonated the length and breath of the country. We felt united as a nation. There was no political correctness whatsoever. Everyone got down on their knees and prayed for the victims and prayed for the safety of our nation.
Should we only turn to God in times of calamity? How about hoping in Him, anchoring our lives on Him. Good to pray for this great nation that has afforded us everything. Good to think of men and women who have given their lives in defence of freedom. Let us strive to foster this deep seated faith in God, in the hearts and minds of people. That we will turn to Him always, no matter what life brings. God bless America!
Posted by frleo at September 10, 2006 5:33 PM
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