The Reason We Honor 911

September 11, 2001 is a day of tragedy and pain. On that day two buildings named the Twin Towers were brought down along with many people. An attack took place that took many lives, and wounded the hearts of America. Every year on September 11th we look to the flag and honor the men and women that suffered that day.  People put up there flag and open there hearts to the suffered and the suffering. We wanted to open our hearts a different way though and we want to leave a mark so we made this book, this is one way to honor them and we are doing it with quotes and memories. We are here to honor the men and women and open our hearts to those who suffered and those who lost part of them and we open our hearts to the brave souls that rescued people. Most people will leave up the flag for a day but this time we are going to leave a book. We are going to change it up and open hearts and we are going to leave this book here for other generations to see and we are going to pass on our words to those who suffered. But we need your help to pass it on. Pass it on and pass on your heart and open up more with each page. And never forget what this day is about. Never lose sight of the reason we honor this day and it's people.

 

Love doesn't end when life ends

I want to give you some of the stories that gave us the inspiration to speak up and give our hearts. Please take time to read these stories from some of the people that lived through this date. And open your hearts and mind.

Now I am going to tell you one of the eleven stories, now.

"Love Doesn't end when life ends."~ Antonio Aversano

When my dad's life ended, my love for my dad did not end...I consider it a divine blessing that I was able to find ways to both grieve his loss and the tragedy of that day, but also keep my heart open and alive. Over the years, reflecting on the impact of 9/11 and the ways in which I found myself navigating that experience, the perspective of the feeling like I was "broken open" emerged. When the feelings of grief, anger and sadness sprung forth after 9/11, on the other side of experiencing and expressing those emotions I felt hardened shell of who I was cracked apart and I became more connected to what I now consider my true self. It was kind of like feeling "snapped back" into the present moment...What is obvious to me is that all "things" in life will pass away. But a love that I feel deep in my heart and soul feels like it is alive in it's own unique way, is connected to all of life, and is timeless. The love I feel for my dad I experience in this way. I can feel him alive within me-within my heart every day. Anytime I choose to reflect and go that place, that love is there and feels will always be there, forever.

This story shows you that no matter what they will be there even when gone. They are physically gone but there love is still there. 

 

Tower fell down, I lived, maybe...

 

"Tower fell down, I lived, maybe..."~Anthony Emanuele

On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was asleep, the phone rang. My wife, Deborah, didn't pick it up and let the machine get it, she was feeding our 5-month-old son Jake. It was my sister. I could hear her asking if we saw what happened to the WTC. I jumped out of bed, turned on the TV, I started to get dressed. I ran downstairs and my wife looked at me. I turned on the TV, showed her and I told her I had to go. WE can put this out. I didn't know it was a terrorist attack. She didn't want me to go but relented. I got a police escort all the way from LI. I parked close. Got my gear. Starting walking fast. As I was close, the first tower came down. After some clarity, I realized I was on Church St. bu the hotel. Just as I was looking around, I looked up at the second tower, [and saw] the antenna swaying. I was with another fireman and cop and started running away as it came down. The force of the blast blew in the subway. I dug my way out. I didn't know where I was. There was silence. I was coughing. gagging. So much dust and debris. I searched 5WTC with a lieutenant and two photographers--fist floor to the roof--all nine stories.

Wow, it all that comes to mind. What would you do if you where caught in that? This story gives us a view of one of the men that searched the tower for survivors. This is a hero. They are all heroes.

 

Keep going I am right behind you

"Keep going I am right behind you."~Mike Burke

My brother was Captain William F. Burke, Jr., of Engine Company 21. He was a good looking, charming guy. Lived in Manhattan, single, no kids. He loved New York City, loved life and loved his job. On September 11, he led his men down the World Trade Center. He was in the north tower on the 27th floor, just after the collapse of the south tower...He ordered, by radio, the safe evacuation of his men and they and the civilians they saved all survived. Billy stayed behind to assist two civilians...He would continue to radio his men...and they would radio back saying, "We'll wait for you here. Wait for you here." Billy said, "No, keep going. I'm right behind you. Meet at the rig." And all of his men survived and got out. The tower collapsed and Captain Billy Burke of Engine 21 perished with the other 2,746 innocents on September 11th at the World Trade Center. Those six words he kept repeating-- "Keep going, I'm right behind you"-- I think those are words he could be speaking to America in response to 9/11. I think that's what Billy was kind of saying to America. Keep going, I'm right behind you."

I think we have heard those 6 words before, right? But what about the men on the radios saying they will wait? They hear those 6 words that saved their life. Those six words can save lives and heal others, they have so much power.

 

My world got bigger after 9/11

"My world got bigger after 9/11"~David Potori

My world got bigger after 9/11. Following the death of my brother, Jim, at World Trade Center, I helped to found September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, an organization made up of people who lost family members in the 9/11 attacks. Through my work with Peaceful Tomorrows, I have had the opportunity to meet people from all over the world who have been impacted by war and terrorism.

Can't we agree that our world got bigger for everyone? Did all of our eyes open more to the destruction that can come in the blink of an eye? This man did something with his eyes opened and world larger, he made Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, this organization is made up of all these people who lost something or someone in that pain filled day. This man made something big! He made a program for not just 9/11 attack victims and family he makes sure to help those who are not new to the affect of war and like 9/11, terrorism.

 

Translating the worst tragedy into hope

"Translating the worst tragedy into hope."~Herb Ouida

This is written as a parent who suffered the worst tragedy that can befall a parent. On September 11, 2001, my son Todd was on the 105th floor of the World Trade Center. I was on the 77th floor. There was no escape for Todd and almost 3,000 people who lost their lives on that terrible day. There was no formula for how to deal with such a tragedy. My family and I have found that the grief can turn into such a consuming anger that there is no room for any other feeling. I wanted to save my family [from] the overwhelming grief...At Todd's memorial service we spoke of how he had overcome a difficulty as a child when he was unable to go to school due an anxiety disorder. Todd overcame that disorder with the support of a skilled therapist and the love of his family. We deiced to use Todd's story to help others who similarly sufferer; Todd's story has inspired and helped many. For us, that has been the path to healing. Thus the tragedy has been transformed into hope for others.

This story tells you that you can find hope somewhere in the middle of the anger and pain of losing someone. You can get passed it and there are people there to help. A friend or family or maybe even a stranger knowing or not knowing can help you. The when the anger is gone only grief is left, and there is someone there to help with the grief. And like this story a story can help someone and just one smile or just one action can help someone so much.

 

Recalling a day. Remembering a life.

"Recalling a day, remembering a life."~Loretta Filipov

My husband, Alexander M. Filipov, was killed on AA#11, the first airplane to hit the towers on September 11, 2001. [At fist,] I was angry and confused, hopeless, as if I were in a black hole, never to come out. But then, I thought of my husband: the stories he would tell, the way he helped our sons with their math, teaching them to sail by using the position of the stars, his love of gardening and inventing and painting. He sought out the best in people and cared about the world in all its beauty and pain. I knew he would not want me to be angry. In his name, and to celebrate the way he lived his life and not how he died, the Al Filipov Peace & Justice Forum (www.alfilipov.org) was established. Each September, the forum invites a distinguished speaker from a variety of backgrounds and faith traditions to encourage listeners to work for social justice in their lives, communities and world.

This women felt like she was stuck and that 'this is the end' but then she remembered the love and the good. Every one who loves someone will always be either sad or angry and that is normal but the better thing to do it try to replace the bad with the good and find a way to honor the lost. This women did it by every September honoring her husband by helping others with a forum and she brings in a speaker to speak those who are in pain. This is the kind of love that spreads and heals.

 

Our loved ones are finally home

"Our loved ones are finally home."~Monica Iken

I lost my husband, Michael Patrik Iken, on 9/11. He work for Euro Brokers in the south tower on the 84th floor...I was happily married, looking forward to having a child with my husband and, you know, he just goes to work one day and never comes home...For someone like myself, who never received any remains or any personal personal effects of Michael, I really felt that site where he took his last breath, his last step--[that] his essence of being was there. And since I couldn't bring him home, I really felt connected to the space, that that was the place that I wanted to go to honor my husband in the future. And I didn't want that right to be taken away from myself and anyone else who felt that way as well. So it became my mission to make sure that we have that space in the future to be able to honor our loved ones and tell their story and tell what happened that day. And [now we have] this memorial...I think for us, we need to know they are home. I think that it is very important in this process of healing, that now we have a place to go...that is where their final resting place is.

'Home is where the heart is' is what comes to mind. This women made sure that people could be where their loved ones passed and that they could honor them on their resting place. She couldn't see her husband after the terrible day but she wanted to honor him as if she did she him where he passed. She made  a point when she said loved ones are finally home. Her husbands home is in her heart and where he took his last breath.

Grief opened the gates of compassion

"Grief opened the gates of compassion."~Susan Retik

I married my college sweetheart, we had to young kids, and I was pregnant with our third. My husband, David, was traveling en route from Boston to L.A. when his flight was hijacked, and crashed into hte World Trade Center. In a flash of an eye, I went from living the American dream to being at the center of America's worst nightmare. In the days and weeks after September 11th, I was immediately inundated with love and support from friends, family, and even strangers from around the world and the support truly buoyed me up, and enabled me to move forward. The inspiration to reach out to widows in Afghanistan [via beyond the 1th] really was a direct result of the support that I felt, having been widowed here in the United States and recognizing that the women in Afghanistan, when widowed, really had no support whatsoever. I feel a bond with these women because we've been terrorized by the same group of people. In May of 2006, we had an opportunity to meet to many of the women that we partaking in the programs. Although we come from such different backgrounds, [all those differences] really just got stripped away when we sitting and having tea. We're all women, all wanting the same things for our children.

Compassion usually follows the line of grief and there are different kinds of compassion for different reasons but they all have at least one thing in common, grief. Like these women, they come different places and different backgrounds but one thing is all the same, compassion and grief. They all lost a loved one and this women looked past the differences and saw women who where going through the same thing. They all lost someone close to them and they all share grief and compassion. Differences are set aside and they come together to help each other out.

 

Kept students calm, I cried inside

"Kept students calm, I cried inside."~Lisa Bottone

I am a seventh grade teacher. My principal handed me a piece of paper with info on it about what happened or what he knew/thought had happened. More importantly at the time, I was instructed to keep the kids in my room, keep them calm, and not talk about it. I carried on as best as I could. They were calm and safe with me for a brief time until hell broke lose a short while after. Not until my room was empty of students did I break down in full hysterics. I had been holding it inside for more than should have been expected.

I do not know how she was able to hold it in that long but this women stayed strong for these kids and she did all she could to hold it in until they left and then she let the gates open and she held it in and kept so strong when many would have lost it and she fought the pain until it was safe to let it go. She fought for the sake of the students and she stayed strong.

Patriotic, Overwhelmed, Proud, Faith, Inadequate, Humbled.

"Patriotic, Overwhelmed, Proud, Faith, Inadequate, Humbled." Sarah Atlas

I was proud to be able to assist when the pager when off at 8:46 a.m. After arriving, my team and I were told to began searching with the dogs. We walked 15 blocks to the piles, past hundreds of fire fighters, civilians and police. As we walked, they whispered "the dogs are here, they'll find them." ; it was a humbling experience. Once on the pile, I felt both inadequate and overwhelmed at what lay before me. As the volunteers poured in, I was proud to see the American spirit I thought was long forgotten. As I lay down to rest the first night, my faith gave me strength to continue the arduous take before me. As American flags began to fly everywhere I looked, I learned the meaning of being patriotic.

This women went into the "pile" to save anyone she could and left with 6 words. She came with pride, and was humbled, came upon overwhelmed and inadequate and found pride and left with faith and became patriotic. 

 

Healing the invisible wounds of trauma

"Healing the invisible wounds of trauma."~The Aldermans

Our youngest child Peter was murdered on September 11, 2001 while attending a conference at Windows on the World at the World Trade Center. Shortly after he was killed, we learned that one billion people have directly experienced torture, terrorism or mass violence, and that 50 to 70 percent of survivors suffer from incapacitating traumatic depression and PTSD. There was nothing we could do for Pete [but] if we cold help those victims then that was the perfect memorial to honor Pete. The mission of the Peter C. Alderman Foundation (PCAF) is to heal the invisible wounds of trauma. PCAF not only trains indigenous to heal traumatic depression and PTSD in their war-affected countrymen, but also operates mental health care facilities in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. To date, PCAF has trained more than 1,000 mental health professional from 22 countries and has treated more than 100,000 victims.

A family lost a family member that day along with many others. Knowing they could do nothing to help Pete other than honor him they decided to help the survivors who suffer from mental issues from the attack. They made the Peter C. Alderman Foundation (PCAF) to help those all over the world find peace after trauma. They where healing invisible woulds in honor of their son. They kept his memories alive by making a foundation to honor him and save others. 

Forget the bad, remember the good

 

"Forget the bad, remember the good."~L.R.

I was only a one year old when the attack came that kill many and hurt many and torn apart the hearts of America. But when I grew up I used to talk to my neighbor and come over and he would tell me stories. One day on September 12th of 2006 I asked him what happened on September 11th, 2001 that makes him put of his flag that he said was for his wife. He sat me down and told me that on 9/11/01 a plane was taken and flew into the World Trade Center, he said his wife was on that plane to visit family. He got a call the next day telling him the WTC came down. Couple days later he went down there to get his wife's things. He said they handed him a flag in her honor. She had gone to see family and never came back. He honors her by putting up the flag ever year and he told me she always said "Forget the bad, remember the good, and cherish the special." He told me that when he got the call he thought of her saying. He told me when you lose something do not think of the bad, remember all the good times and cherish those special moments. Let go of the bad and embrace the good and bury the pain and lost feeling and uplift the good memories and find that special place.

On that day life changed for me. When my neighbor pasted I still held onto the good and remembered all the stories and every year I got to his place and put up the flag on 9/11 and I buried the pain when he passed and I smiled when I think about all the fun I had with him and I hold the date 9/11 close to my heart and every year honor the men and women who lost someone or became lost.

 

Our words written to remember 9/11

 

6 WORD MOMOIRS AND HOW 9/11 AFFECTED US

"Feelings ignored will surface in time."~A.W.

"People need more time to morn when something happens to someone they love."~M.A.

"Putting others before yourself"~M.B.

"Sadness can not be held in."~J.R.

"Staying strong for others will not help you stay strong in the end."~A.N.

"Keep calm now and break down later."~J.R.

"Wow, how hard it must of been."~M.B.

"Keep calm it is heartbreak warfare...<3"~A.B.

"My uncle was working in New York and he was around the Twin Towers when my family found out that they went down, they started to panic when they called him, he had already left and was on the highway to come home."~S.D.

"Keep clam and be very strong."~J.H.

"Nothing else brought America closer together."~W.B.

"The tragedy the nation endured."~C.T.

"Who can the strongest lean on?-Destiny Glover"~A.B.

"You have to be strong for others."~M.T.

"A heart of steel is what it takes."~H.U

"During the chaos, heroes are/were remembered."~Unknown

"Loved ones lost, but not forgotten."~H.K.

"Words can't describe the pain made."~M.D.

"Live escapes when things fall-Andrea B."~L.R.

"Stay collected for those around you."~A.K.

"Hearts bereft together joins across lands."~B.H.

"9/11...nothing is more tragic."~J.R.

"Heartbreak can bring hope to those who need it most."~A.N.

"Gone but never forgotten on 9/11."~H

"Never know how good it is till it is gone."~A.B.

"I never knew they where struggling."~M.B.

"Difference won't matter when similarities reign."~A.W.

"Always support the other."~S.B.

"There ale always others to comfort you."~Anonymous

"Love will last for many lifetimes."~J.R.

"Lives doesn't last forever but love does."~K.DW.

"The love and support from many."~D.S.

"Life can change with one action."~C.S.

"Going from happy to heartbroken."~J.H.

"Almost learning how to stop grieving."~K.M.

"Never forget who loves you."~L.R.

"Tomorrow is not certain."~B.G.

"A final resting place, they're home."~S.P.

"To love and grieve is life."~S.R.

"Tomorrow's never promise."~M.B.

"Tomorrow doesn't exist till it happens."~D.W.

"Live everyday."~K.C.

"The soul is what really matters."~K.M.

"How is where the spirit is."~A.K.

"The essence never dies."~S.B.

"Flesh goes away, but the spirit remains."~D.G.

"Home is where the spirit belongs."~S.S.

"I will see you soon family."~M.S.

"One memorial, suddenly multiplied into thousands."~Maria Dyson

"They're truly home now."~M.B.

"Home can always be with Jesus."~M.R.

"We lost many lives."J.R.

"Last goodbyes are so often unknown."~R.W.

"Well will not forget those lost."~J.R

"True loves make memories for us."~E.H

"Breath is lost but the lost is not."~L.R.

"Everyday tell your loved ones you love them."~B.S.

"Without memories, how will we learn?"~G.B.

"Memories can ease a grieving heart."~A.W.

"Sorrow sows seeds of hope, faith."~B.H.

"Remember the man, not how he died."~M.B.

"Never forget someone after death."~D.M.

"Forget the bad, remember the good, cherish the moments."~L.R.

"This memorial told me of how much damages 9/11 did to families."~S.S.

"Horrible,sad,terrifying,death,devastating,attacked."~M.B.

"From tragedies can come great things."~A.M.

"Live, love, never forget."~J.B.

"Staying strong in the name of loves ones."~S.P.

"We are a strong nation."~J.R.

"Anger can fade, love does not."~J.C.

"When tragedy strikes remember the good."~N.H.

"Love never fades, but times passes."~K.DW.

"We can live on despite death."~Maria Dyson

"Loves ones who fought so hard."~A.B.

"Time passes but memories live on."J.R.

"When people fade, their memories stay." ~L.R.

"Love will still live without you."~ S.R.

"Your legacy lives longer than you."~M.B.

"Loss gives the strength to heal."~Anonymous

"Tragedy can somewhat help people."~D.S.

"Tragedy for one can be hope for another."~A.W.

"Family means nobody will be forgotten."~K.DW.

"So close, but far always loved."~B.H.

"Kept and healed are those who die."~M.R.

"Sharing the love, after a loss."~S.P.

"To overcome and prosper in life."~S.R.

"If heaven wasn't so far away."~A.B.

" A horrible thing happened that day."~K.F.

"Helplessness can sometimes turn into hope."~A.N.

"Only God can know whats next."~H.

"Celebrating a life is a start to healing."~B.S.

"Never forget the ones you care for."~D.M.

"The path to healing: inspire others."~T.K.

"Tragedy and anger can heal others."~J.H.

"Someone is there waiting for you to fall."~L.R.

"After war there is peaceful tomorrows."~J.H.

"All things work together for good."~T.K.

"Help others, all well as yourself."~S.B.

"It's better to heal together."~M.B.

"One door opens to more"~L.R.

"We'll never be the same again."~T.K.

"Billy was an angel is disguise."~W.B.

"A hero never dies."~W.B.

"The day life changed America."~B.S.

"You're never promised tomorrow, live today."~C.S.

"To sacrifice one can save more."~J.C.

"One step forward, two steps back."~J.R.

"Heroes are with us in spirit."~Anonymous

"Keep going, someones is always there for you."~L.R.

"Better safe than dead."~A.B.

"Amidst chaos, firefighters try to rescue."~J.S.

"Let us never forget the brave."~M.A.

"Forgetting that day? Impossible..."~T.K.

"Never stop searching..."~S.B.

"Sad that people die is a split second."~S.D.

"It has fallen but has risen again."~J.C.

"Above it all we still stand."~D.W.

"Stay strong and do not show fear."~V.R.

"This tragedy brought us closer together."~C.S.

"Tragedy can make a heart stronger.”~V.R.

"If you are helpless, help others."~A.K.

"Always lend a helping hand...forever."~B.S.

"American and proud."~M.B.

"Shattered but still strong at heart."~V.R.

"A sad, emotional, and heartbreaking day."~J.H.

"Look twice...save a life."~M.R.

"Pain and suffering, American still stands."~E.H.

"Say thanks for our blessings everyday."~B.S.

"So many memories but not words."~V.R.

"We will always remember you,friend."~T.M.

"Grief can warrant greater understanding."~A.K.

"Life ends, legacy and loves remains."~Anonymous

"Love last for all of eternity."~S.P.

 

Each and every time we honor a 9/11 hero we do it with love and compassion because each hero deserves it along with their families. Each man and/or women that died and/or risked their life to save others deserve more than just a book but they deserve our love, compassion, hope, and care. People all over has been affected by 9/11 so we need to pass on our hears to everyone around the world and forgive. Do not live on with anger or lost hope, love and forget. Remember the love, the good times, the person, but never how they died. The dead should be honored. Do not cry about their death. Celebrate their life!

 

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 12.09.2014

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Widmung:
I want to dedicate this book to all my fellow peers and teachers in my school for giving me a chance to remember the men and women in 911. I can say that I am so happy to be able to give back to those who were affected by 911 with this book filled with the memories and quotes from men and women and my fellow peers.