Miss Becky's Blog

Remembering September 11, 2001

It was five years ago today that the attack on the World Trade Center occurred, changing life in Amercia and effecting the entire world. At that time, Americans all across our country united to help support the victims and do whatever we could. There was a great spirit of love for our country and the freedoms we enjoy, along with great sadness that there are so many people in the world with hearts full of hate and want to kill others.

Many, many Americans starting displaying and flying the American flag after September 11th, not just on holidays, but many are flown all the time.

Here is a picture of me with a "rag" flag that I made from small squares and strips of fabric after September 11th and we display this flag several times during the year. Today my "rag" flag will be displayed along with our real American flag to honor all those who lives were so tragically affected that day AND to recognize the many thousands of others who have given their lives to protect our freedoms, not just of Americans but others in the world as well.

This picture was taken on September 10, 2006 on my front porch, my "rag" flag in the background.

TODAY ... September 11, 2006 -- It has been a special day, the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks five years ago in New York and Washington D.C.

Today, thousands of Americans came out to honor those killed 9/11. In New York City, at the 16-acres where the WTC Towers stood and which is still mostly barren, the names of each person killed were revently read most by tearful loved ones holding photos to their hearts and blowing kisses to the sky. In Washington, D.C. at the Pentagon, and windswept Pennsylvania field, and in simpler, quiet moments in airport security lines, at churches or by themselves, Americans paused to reflect on the worst terrorist act on U.S. soil.

In New York City tonight there are two columns of light from "ground zero" reaching up into the heavens ... a haunting reminder of the World Trade Towers that once stood there. President Bush spoke to the nation tonight on TV ... just like he did five years ago. I thought it was a good talk and expressed the feelings of most Americans. I'll try to get a copy of his speech and post it on my block.

Another impressive thing today was the "Healing Field" in the city of Sandy, Utah, where I lived and attended school. Sandy is just south of Salt Lake City a few miles. The "Healing Field" is a big green lawn area where 3,000 American Flags on eight foot poles were place in row upon row, one flag for every person killed on September 11, 2001.340 It's a very impressive sight. The flag flown there is a very special one, with the name of each person killed on 9/11, all 3,000 printed on the red and white strips of the flag -- see picture. Thousands of people visited the "Healing Field" touching the flags, reading the names on the flag, walking up and down the rows and not only remembered and paid honor to the victims of 9/11 but to ALL the men and women who have fought and given their lives so we Americans can enjoy the freedoms we have today. The idea of the "Healing Field" started here in Sandy, Utah in 2001 when 3,000 smaller flags were placed in a green field right after 9/11. There were only 3 Utah people killed that day, however all Americans felt the pain and reached out to help our fellow Americans anyway we could. This type of place, with all the flags really touched people's hearts and "healing" began. The idea has spread to many other American cities. Visiting a place like this not only helps those who have lost love ones, but it's also a good way to teach children and young people that "freedom isn't free" and we owe the gift of FREEDOM to the many sacrifices of others.

This week I'm posting articles and stories about September 11th including what happened in our life those days; a special LOVE story from victims in New York City; and an update regarding how people have tried to rebuild their lives during the past five years.

There is another reason that September 11th is an important day in my life . . .

It was on September 11, 1964 that Ken and I were married in the temple in Salt Lake City. For various reasons in 2001 we had a wonderful, unique anniversary celebration the night before on September 10th. We were so glad that we celebrated early because after the events of that morning, we did not feel like celebrating, our hearts were very sad and hurt.

We celebrated our anniversary early again this year. Last Saturday evening Ken and I took our son, Jason and his wife, Missy, to a special dinner/show called "Celebrate America" ... the food was good and the show honored all our military people. Ken and I really enjoyed the dancing to the "Big Band Music" (we had done a lot of dancing while courting, before we were married).

In the picture below I'm wearing the necklace that Ken gave me on the day of our marriage, 42 years ago. It has my birthstone set in a small heart ... the stone is blue in color, so it was the "something blue" I wore at my wedding! The picture is of a Temple, like where we were married ... this picture hangs just inside our front door.

This is also a special anniversary for us this year, as it's the first one that we have been together since 2002. In 2003 I was in Las Vegas welcoming a new grandson to earth; in 2004 I was in Baltimore, Maryland on the east coast of America, caring for our son's children while their mother had a medical procedure done; and in 2005 I was helping our daughter, Kara, move to Boston to start work on her PhD and I visited our son's family in Maryland.

This picture was taken on September 11, 2003, with Amy's three boys in Las Vegas ... from left to right is McKay, the oldest, baby Gavin and Jack holding the ball. See the flowers Ken had sent to me for our anniversary -- they were so beautiful -- roses, the flower of love.

Today, September 11, 2006, Ken and I had lunch at our cabin ... the mountains are so beautiful at this time of year as the leaves are turning different autumn colors.

It's been a good day, full of memories, love of family, gratitude for my country, and pride in my fellow Americans.