Never Forget

If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate. —Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl, in Shanksville, Pa., in 2002

The following column has been slightly edited from a previous column…

Today we take a moment to remember September 11, 2001. It seems just yesterday that our country was attacked – but it has been 16 years.

On that day I remember staring at the television in shock. When the second plane hit the World Trade Center, I hoped and prayed that it was a replay of the first plane hitting it. It wasn’t. I hoped like many folks that the whole thing was just a dream. It wasn’t.

At that time I worked for U.S. Senator Conrad Burns in Great Falls, Montana, and I was scheduled to attend a meeting the morning of September 11 at Malmstrom Air Force Base. As I showed my ID to at the base gate, a breaking news alert came on my car radio saying a plane had hit the Pentagon – my Pentagon – our Pentagon. My thoughts shifted to friends and former colleagues who worked there.

As a former security specialist with the Air Force, when I departed the meeting an hour or so later to head back to my office I saw a change in security procedures at the base that I had never seen before – and I knew that our country had changed. We had been attacked and we were now on our highest alert.

Many things have changed since those horrific attacks. Our country came together and united in the fight against terrorism. I remember our elected officials – Republicans and Democrats – in Washington standing on the Capitol steps that evening and singing, “God Bless America.” We stood in defiance against terrorism. Americans were united. We found heroes in the first responders and those who performed acts of bravery on that day.

Yes, it’s been 16 years and our memories are somewhat faded now. As a Nation, we must always remember the events of September 11, 2001.

God Bless America.

 

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Published in: on September 11, 2017 at 1:42 am  Comments Off on Never Forget  
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The Sunday Message – September 11

If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate. —Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl, in Shanksville, Pa., in 2002

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The following column has been slightly edited from a previous column…

Today we take a moment to remember September 11, 2001. It seems just yesterday that our country was attacked – but it has been 15 years.

On that day I remember staring at the television in shock. When the second plane hit the World Trade Center, I hoped and prayed that it was a replay of the first plane hitting it. It wasn’t. I hoped like many folks that the whole thing was just a dream. It wasn’t.

At that time I worked for U.S. Senator Conrad Burns in Great Falls, Montana, and I was scheduled to attend a meeting the morning of September 11 at Malmstrom Air Force Base. As I showed my ID to at the base gate, a breaking news alert came on my car radio saying a plane had hit the Pentagon – my Pentagon – our Pentagon. My thoughts shifted to friends and former colleagues who worked there.

As a former security specialist with the Air Force, when I departed the meeting an hour or so later to head back to my office I saw a change in security procedures at the base that I had never seen before – and I knew that our country had changed. We had been attacked and we were now on our highest alert.

Many things have changed since those horrific attacks. Our country came together and united in the fight against terrorism. I remember our elected officials – Republicans and Democrats – in Washington standing on the Capitol steps that evening and singing, “God Bless America.” We stood in defiance against terrorism. Americans were united. We found heroes in the first responders and those who performed acts of bravery on that day.

Yes, it’s been 15 years and our memories are somewhat faded now. As a Nation, we must always remember the events of September 11, 2001.

God Bless America…

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Published in: on September 11, 2016 at 2:00 am  Comments Off on The Sunday Message – September 11  
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Caught My Eye…

In honor of 9-11:

Remember the hours after September 11th when we came together as one to answer the attack against our homeland. We drew strength when our firefighters ran upstairs and risked their lives so that others might live; when rescuers rushed into smoke and fire at the Pentagon; when the men and women of Flight 93 sacrificed themselves to save our nation’s Capitol; when flags were hanging from front porches all across America, and strangers became friends. It was the worst day we have ever seen, but it brought out the best in all of us.  –U.S. Senator John Kerry (2004)

Welcome to Friday – and this is not just any Friday – this is the Friday before the first Sunday of NFL football!

If you are a first-time visitor, the highly popular “Caught My Eye” has been posted here every Friday morning since October 2010! This column is where I take a look at some of the stories I did not have time to write about during the week. Sometimes I throw in a touch of snarkiness to make you smile – or to irritate you just a little – maybe both.

Today I write about Corey Stapleton and the Montana GOP, the Montana High Tech Jobs Summit, fundraisers, Iran nuclear deal, government shutdown, the eleven, suicide awareness, and much more so buckle up!

(more…)

Published in: on September 11, 2015 at 6:45 am  Comments (3)  
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On Alert

Gallup released a new poll yesterday that told us “Americans’ trust in the federal government to handle international problems has fallen to a record-low 43%.”

That’s one of the reasons President Barack Obama needs to hit a home run during his speech tonight. According to the Associated Press, the President will talk about his plans “to combat Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq.”

(more…)

Published in: on September 10, 2014 at 7:08 am  Comments Off on On Alert  
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The Sunday Message

If you feed those who are hungry and take care of the needs of those who are troubled, then your light will shine in the darkness, and you will be bright like sunshine at noon. – Isaiah 58:10 (NCV)

This Thursday we will again observe Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance.

We must always remember September 11, 2001.

A few months after the horrific attacks on our country, Congress approved by a joint resolution (Public Law 107-89) designating September 11 of each year as “Patriot Day.”

Public Law 111-13, which was approved April 21, 2009, also recognized September 11 as “National Day of Service and Remembrance.”

Please take a moment this Thursday to pray for our country, those who are protecting it, our leaders, and those who died on September 11, 2001.

For more information about the National Day of Service, click HERE.

 

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Published in: on September 7, 2014 at 4:00 am  Comments Off on The Sunday Message  
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Take a Day to Remember the Day That Changed Us Forever

“May the lives remembered, the deeds recognized, and the spirit reawakened be eternal beacons, which reaffirm respect for life, strengthen our resolve to preserve freedom, and inspire an end to hatred, ignorance and intolerance.”

These words are the final part of the mission statement of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center in New York City. As the nation and world mark the 12th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, The Western Word shares the sentiments of the 9/11 Memorial and calls upon readers to make Sept. 11, 2013 a day of commemoration.

Take a moment on this day to remember and honor the thousands of innocent men, women, and children murdered by terrorists in the horrific attacks of February 26, 1993 and September 11, 2001. Thank your local first responders for their dedication to protecting your community. Remember the many Americans who have served and are currently serving in our nation’s military—many of whom enlisted as a response to the 9/11 attacks.

Let us come together this 9/11 and take a day to honor, remember, and reunite. For more information from the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, visit 911memorial.org.

Editor’s note: The previous message was used by permission from a template on the 9/11 Memorial website.

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Published in: on September 11, 2013 at 4:00 am  Comments Off on Take a Day to Remember the Day That Changed Us Forever  
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Just Yesterday…

Today we take a moment to remember September 11, 2001.  It seems just yesterday that our country was attacked – but it has been 11 years.

On that day I remember staring at the television in shock.  When the second plane hit the World Trade Center, I hoped and prayed that it was a replay of the first plane hitting it.  It wasn’t.  I hoped like many folks that the whole thing was just a dream.  It wasn’t.

(more…)

Published in: on September 11, 2012 at 7:07 am  Comments Off on Just Yesterday…  
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We Will Never Forget!

Today is September 11, 2010. As a Nation, we must always pause and remember the events of September 11, 2001:

Published in: on September 11, 2010 at 4:55 am  Comments Off on We Will Never Forget!  
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