What Happened to the Freedom Tower?

Where have a been the last two years? I didn’t know that the new building at Ground Zero in New York City has had it’s name changed from the “Freedom Tower” to “One World Trade Center”.

Some saw the change as being unpatriotic, since the Freedom name symbolized our fight against those who attacked us. In my mind it’s a little worse than that. The name “One World Trade Center” has a completely different meaning when there is no “Two World Trade Center”. No wonder many gave the new name an ‘interesting and warm reception’, as reported on Fox News.com . When losing the symbolism of the name ‘The Freedom Tower’, there doesn’t seem to be any admitting to the fact that the new name takes on a whole new symbolism. I’m sure all those one world government types just loved the idea.

We may share this lovely world with many countries and different peoples, but we have freedom, and a constitution that guarantees that freedom. I am not ready to concede that freedom to the inferior systems of the rest of the world. However they are welcome to join me in upholding and promoting freedom and democracy if they would like.

-Lynnae

September 11th, Ten Years Later

I was still in bed when my good friend called on the phone, telling me planes had hit the World Trade Center. It was about time to get up anyway, so I hurried downstairs to watch the TV in shock while I got the kids ready for school. For a while I wondered if I should take them, but decided it was best. Before I left I remember looking at the tv and telling Jon "that building is going to fall, it looks like it's twisting." I never see that image anymore. They mostly show fast little clips.

While we were driving to middle school the first tower fell. I rushed home. I saw the second tower fall on tv and it was horrifying.

After an hour or two a neighbor called my house. The husband had been in the air at the time of the attacks and now had been diverted to Canada. He sounded very upset and had been trying to get a hold of his wife. I told him I'd have her call, slipped on some shoes and ran down to her house. The house was calm and children were playing happily. She answered the door and I told her she should call her husband and she seemed confused. She didn't have television on, and her phone was off the hook. She had no idea what had happened.

I was also in charge of a church dinner for the ladies that night and had been stressed out about it for a few days. I called the woman over me and asked if we could just cancel it, and she said she 'didn't see why.' So I went to Costco and tried to get done the things I needed to do, feeling scared and in shock. It was a sombre dinner. Maybe it was OK to have it, but I was mad at the time. We ate and sang hymns before returning to our families.

The next day, and for several days, I watched Fox news almost nonstop. I did try and turn it off whenever my four year old Jordan came in to the room, but I also remember trying to get her occupied in the playroom so I could go back and watch things unfold. I watched every news conference, and on the National Day of Prayer I prayed a lot and watched all the services. That day I felt very peaceful, and I felt like a spirit of calm and unity was over our country. It was a powerful feeling that I will never forget.

Please read this tribute I wrote two years ago.

I will forever honor the heroes of that day. The first responders, and since then, our military, who sacrifice so we can be free. Thank You!

-Lynnae

Props for Reagan

Yesterday I watched the Rose Parade, a New Years Day tradition. I was pleased to see a float commemorating the life and achievements of Ronald Reagan. What touched me more was that quite a few people on the grandstand stood up as it passed.

Float Honoring Ronald Reagan

Toward the end of the parade there was a similar moment when a float honoring the firefighter rescue workers of September 11th passed, which got even more people on their feet.

Rose Parade float concept drawing

The completed float was very nice. In the center stands an actual hydrant from ground zero. The float creators had permission to leave this as is, one of the only items allowed on any float not covered in flowers or plant materials.

Moments like this really touch me and it’s comforting to know that other people remember and care. A simple action can say so much.

Happy New Year.

Undimmed By Human Tears

When I was nine we practiced a bicentennial program in our elementary school. As part of the program a teacher was explaining the verses of ‘America the Beautiful’.

“How beautiful for patriot dream,
That sees beyond the years,
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears.

How beautiful for heroes, proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self, their country loved,
And mercy more than life.”

She explained that the phrase ‘undimmed by human tears’ meant that we had never had an attack of a city on American soil.

    Photo  Daniel Hulshizer AP

On the morning of September 11th 2001 that changed with the vicious attack of innocent people in our country.

President George W. Bush declared the following Friday a National Day of Prayer.

I was worried for my family and my country. I needed the consolation of prayer too. I watched the prayer ceremonies on television that day and said a few of my own. I will never forget God’s power and the unity that I felt with my fellow Americans that day. Despite all the horrible occurrences I felt that we were in God’s hands and he was still in control.

That day I wrote a few verses of my own for America the Beautiful, with one chorus at the end.

(To the tune and meter of the verses of America the Beautiful.  ‘Oh beautiful, for spacious skies………)

 How deep the grief that turns our heart,
The tears that bend the knee,
The ache that pulls us close again,
And closer still to Thee.

 The trembling, halting, breaking voice,
In songs we’ve always known,
Though eyes divert we can’t help see,
The hollow in our home.

 For souls who flooded heaven’s door,
That ever darkened hour,
Encircled by Thy angel host,
Encircled by Thy power.

 America, America!
God grasp thy quaking hand!
And wash us pure, as we secure
Thy freedom for this land!

-Lynnae

Banner of Liberty

Last fall on the anniversary of September 11th, 2001, the conservative club that my daughter belongs to made a tribute to the victims of the terrorist attacks by hanging paper flags in the high school entrance down into the commons, each bearing a victims name.

They made over 2000 flags, with names handwritten. It was a beautiful tribute.

I often wonder how people can forget these terrible events or act as if they were unimportant. It’s nice to see that they continue to affect some people in a positive way, with a desire to protect and preserve our wonderful country.

-Lynnae