Monday, September 12, 2011

12 Most Memorable Moments From the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11


My thoughts are inspired by a post on a site called "12 Most." Posts from multiple authors cover a wide variety of topics. The 12 Most Memorable Moments From the Tenth Anniversary of 9/11 caught my eye.

What were YOUR most memorable moments? I'll lead off with my own top 12, in chronological order. Add yours in the comments, please!

  1. Prayer Service in the Pentagon Auditorium sponsored by the Chaplains. 
  2. DoD Memorial Service in Pentagon Center Court. The SecDef, Leon Panetta, got a little verklempt as he described the proudest day of his 40-year career, whacking ObL. He accepted a 9/11 flag from the 9/11 memorial commission.
  3. 10th Annual ASA (M&RA) / DCS, G-1 Commemoration Ceremony at the E-Ring end of Pentagon's 4th Corridor.
  4. Visiting the 9/11 Memorial Chapel, built as part of Project Phoenix.
  5. Visiting the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial, especially LTG Maude's bench 
  6. Visiting LTG Maude's grave and the Pentagon Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery
  7. Watching a 9/11 TV special with neighbors and sharing personal stories
  8. Reading my hometown paper's account of my 9/11 experience
  9. Participating in the Arlington Police, Fire & Sheriff 9-11 Memorial 5K
  10. A special moment of remembrance with my daughter at Lake Thoreau featuring red, white, and blue candles and 29 rose petals, one for each of the people from my office who died 
  11. Participating in the Unity Walk, during which: I heard a Muslim call to prayer in a Hebrew Synagogue; I saw a turban-tying demonstrating in a Sikh Temple; I heard a Christian choir sing Amazing Grace at a Muslim Mosque; I got a photo of Karen Armstrong; I chanted with the Hare Krishnas at the Khalil Gibran Memorial Park; and I walked with Gandhi's grandson to the Mahatma Gandhi memorial.  
  12. Pausing at 6:46 pm to participate in ONE: The Event's global prayer for peace. Did you feel the love?
I am grateful and humbled to be alive. 9/11 plus 10 years and we are finally moving from fear toward love. It takes both compassion and vigilance to ensure peace and security for the next generations. I feel a sense of balance returning.

Remembering those who lost their lives,
those who gave their lives, and
those who risked their lives
for our freedoms
9/11 +10


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