By Stewart E. Sherman
I was sitting in a Physiology class in Davenport, Iowa the day the world stopped turning. The information moved through the classroom like a thick fog, spreading from lips to lips and gaining speed. At once, half the classroom, not so quietly, exited out the back of the class seeking out the nearest television.
Watching the burning building with the smoke billowing out initially confused me. The news reporters were trying to piece together what had happened; no one really knowing at that point. Was it some sort of accident? What had made a commercial airliner fly directly into such a huge landmark?
Suddenly, another explosion hit the other building. A replay of the footage caught another airliner veering directly into the second trade center building. I remember the footage and recalled the contrails on the wingtips of the airliner as it banked sharply to turn directly into the building. That’s when it hit me; “Oh my God, someone is using jets to deliberately attack those buildings!”
I’m ashamed to admit it, but the next thing that went through my mind was, “Ah dang, I’m going to get pulled back into the military; we’re going to war.” It wasn’t a fear, it was more that I had just gotten out and was starting on the next set of plans I had made. Needless to say, during that awful day, so many other things were important.
The most terrible thing that I could never have imagined was transpiring right before my eyes. My mind instantly constructed the final 5-10 minutes in those poor people’s lives. Were there children on board? What had there parents been thinking? Why hadn’t anyone risen up and beaten the crap out of those bastards? Surely someone would have realized the doom that lay in store for them. What would I have done?
Once again the news switched to Washington, D.C. where another plane had crashed into the Pentagon. My God! These people had orchestrated a mass attack! How many planes were in our nations skies at this very moment with terrorists on board preparing to attack another target? I called my dad in Dillon. He told me that the FAA had grounded all aircraft in the country and that no one was allowed to fly.
Then news came out of Pennsylvania of another plane that had crashed into the countryside. Talk was that this one was heading for the White House. Had the Air Force shot it down? Those poor people. That made 4 planes involved in this thing. I remember other veterans throughout the campus talking like they were ready to go to war. It made me wonder had young men and veterans talked this same way after Pearl Harbor? Were we on the cusp of a huge war? Who were we going to war with? All I had were questions and confusion. Why would anyone do this? What had we done so bad to cause other people to treat us this way?
The pictures and video of the carnage at the World Trade Center was horrific. Pictures of people jumping out of the top of this HUGE skyscraper. How horrible it must be to choose to jump to your death rather than stay, hoping to be rescued. Those people had no hope of rescue. My mind went to work again constructing a scenario. Intense heat, can’t breathe, can’t see, on fire! Race to the window to escape! I couldn’t keep thinking that. Children, adults, rescuers, bystanders, children again. All those people suffering such a terrible, devastating death. They deserved better than that. No one deserves to die in such a way. What kind of people do this to others?
Then, the first building fell! Oh my God! A building fell in New York City! Are you kidding me? I didn’t think it was that bad. Then the other fell. Jesus! This is insane! How can two buildings just fall down in New York? This is worse than any movie I’ve ever seen because it was happening. No scripts to predict a plot. This was going from bad to worse with no good in sight. All those people dead. There must have been close to 3000 people in and around that place when it went down. Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! How could this be happening?
I couldn’t wrap my head around any of this and the news kept pouring in. Al Qaeda! Who? Who in the hell was Al Qaeda? What did they want with us? They kept showing pictures of this obviously Middle Eastern guy with a turban on his head. Osama bin Laden? Well, there’s a name you can grow to hate. This was all HIS idea? Well now we have a target. Looks like we are going to war.
Look, a lot of time has passed since that awful day. Most of us try and remember the main points. Some of us knew people who were actually involved. In any case, let us not forget the heroes of that day. The cops, firefighters, EMT’s, soldiers, sailors, marines and regular citizens who had guts. It’s hard to contemplate something like that ever happening again. The problem is, there are others in the world who ARE contemplating something like that happening again. We need to stay vigilant. We need to teach our kids what’s what. But most importantly, we need to love one another. Because on that day, those people didn’t think it would be the last time that they would say good bye to the one’s they loved.
By James E. Lockemy
In the lyrics of an extremely popular song opposing the United States’ entry into World War I, an American mother proclaims “I didn’t raise my boy to be a soldier” or one “who dares to put a musket on his shoulder”. The lyrics epitomize the common beliefs that only soldiers fight and die during a war, that only those who bear arms are in harm’s way.
The events that occurred on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center in New York, at the Pentagon in Washington and in a field in rural Pennsylvania shattered forever those beliefs here in the United States of America. Terrorists had been attacking our country and its democratic principles for more than a decade before that horrible day. Most of those attacks were against civilians and should have caused us to realize that unlike other conflicts, the animosity was not against our government and its policies but directed against our people. The events of 9-11 blasted away any lingering doubts about the direction of that animosity. The startling clarity of that message hit us with the realization that the vast majority of those killed that day did not carry a musket on their shoulder but a hose on their back, a badge on their chest or a cell phone on their side to send last words of love to those they would never see again. There were no charges
up the hill in a burst of glory but charges into buildings to rescue others. The action most similar to a traditional military operation that day was the effort of those noble and brave civilians on Flight 93 who with the battle cry “Let’s Roll” valiantly decided to die while saving other innocent people in America. Mothers of many faiths and different ethnicities lost many boys and daughters that day who had never held a musket or weapon of any kind and indeed who had never uttered hateful words against any country or belief.
From that day forward, all doubt ceased that there are people in this world and, unfortunately, in this country who hate the American people and will bring as much destruction and death as necessary to force us to accept oppressive principles aligned with their beliefs. And, importantly, from that day forward we realized, as a people, that we would need more than the military to fight this war on the American way of life.
Shortly after the popularity of the song mentioned began to wane and the people of America realized that soldiers and muskets were going to be necessary, Woodrow Wilson appeared before Congress on April 2, 1917 and asked for a declaration of war. In so doing he stated that we had no quarrel with the people of Germany or Austria-Hungary, but with the governments whose policies threatened the safety and freedom of the world. Historians still celebrate his call that the “world must be made safe for democracy” just as they smile at the naïve remark that this would be a “war to end all wars”. Today, almost one hundred years later, we realize that much of the world is still not safe for democracy and that we cannot make the whole world safe for that way of life so dear to us. Indeed, with continued attacks from within and without, we are keenly aware of the difficult work necessary to keep our own country safe for democracy. This will not only take the
soldier with a musket, but the fireman with an ax to get into a burning building, the policeman to detect those attempting to leave explosives in crowded city squares, and the first responder rescuing badly injured people from terrorist attacks. Every citizen is tasked with the duty to be diligent and watchful in the protection of our homeland. The safety of our country not only rests with the soldier wielding the most current weapon, the historic courage of the Marine or the power of the Air Force in the F-16 or new F-35. It not only rests with the protection provided on the seas by the Navy or the harbors by the Coast Guard. It also rests with the citizen clothed in the uniform of democracy with a solemn faith in freedom as a shield. This may not be the “war to end all wars” but we must make it the war to end terrorism as an accepted means and effort to end democracy.
Do not forget 9-11. Do not forget the horror of that day. Do not forget that moment of realization that there is evil in the world bent on our destruction. But, above all, do not forget the new birth of commitment that our country and our principles are worth defending and must be defended by all of us. Let’s change the lyrics of that song a little to say:
“Mothers, don’t only raise children to be soldiers,
Raise firefighters, law enforcement members, EMTS and teachers,
Those who dare to put the cost of liberty on their shoulders,
And wrap democracy in their heart and become freedom preachers.”
This Sunday, we here in Dillon, will commemorate that fateful day 10 years. We will also celebrate the strength that is built within our great nation of people who respect all regardless of faith or background. We will renew our resolve not to back down from an attack on freedom. Please come, share with another, commit to our democracy together. Above all, pray for God’s guidance and blessings on the United States of America.
o Marcia and I were watching Fox News when a report was given that our nation’s President was about to make a special announcement. Just as the news host Geraldo was wondering, we too were trying to imagine what could be so important that President Obama would be coming on this late in the evening to make an announcement.
The most memorable moment to us was the exact time when Geraldo brought up the possibility that maybe we’ve gotten Bin Laden. That maybe indeed our President was about to bring closure to the biggest travesty our nation has ever dealt with. The anticipation of hope that was expressed on Geraldo’s face at that moment was the same feeling of expectancy that began to race through my veins.
Suddenly President Obama appeared and informed us that Osama Bin Laden had been erased. Finally, some type of relief and healing could begin.
Although Bin Laden’s fate has been sealed, America’s hasn’t. With the end of one terrorist only begins the birth of another. Previously we’ve seen evil’s hand work through those such as Attila The Hun, Josef Stalin, and Adolf Hitler.
We can’t even celebrate the end of one tyrant’s rein without some concern and wonder over who will be the next willing vessel to thrust such terror. Truthfully America has no sure hope for real peace nor does any other nation for that matter.
The fact is that the only true hope that all of mankind has is not going to be found in anything in this life, but through faith in Christ Jesus in the assurance of peace in the next life.
I pray that you will have prepared for just that.
By Haywood Proctor
President – Dillon County Ministerial Alliance
September 11, 2011, has a special meaning for Dillon County. It marks a date for us to remember in the history of our great nation. It doesn’t seem like its been ten years since our nation was attacked by a group of terrorists. I can easily, along with millions of Americans, remember where I was when I first heard the news that a plane had flown in to the World Trade Center in New York City. I was in a very serious conversation with a few of my friends at a local business here in town. We watched in horror as the events unfolded thinking that a small plane had accidentally flown into the WTC. As we continued to watch on “live” television, to our utter disbelief, a second airliner flew into the second tower. At that exact moment, we began to ask ourselves “Are we under attack? Could this be an act of war?” The questions continued to flow through our minds. We watched the rescue attempts being made by the “first responders” as they
arrived on the scene. We watched as countless fire, rescue, police and volunteers without hesitation immediately sprang into rescue mode. Doing what needed to be done to save lives. At that monument, my opinion of these brave men and women changed. Before September 11, 2001, I took for granted the valuable service that these “First Responders” provide to our great nation. We remember these brave souls that perished on this dreadful day in our history. We must never forget what makes America great. The resolve to save lives resonates through every “first responder” as they go about their duties and responsibilities every day. I am amazed as I look at people running away from the buildings and I see these special people running toward the buildings. On this day in our history, 2,973 people were killed in the attacks on the WTC in New York City. Victims who died in the World Trade Center numbered 343 firefighters, 60 police officers from
New York City and the Port Authority and 8 private emergency medical technicians and paramedics. The New York City Fire Department quickly deployed 200 units (half of the department) to the site. Their efforts were supplemented by numerous off-duty firefighters and emergency medical technicians. These brave men and women that we call our “first responders” never hesitated as they sprang into action. The valiant response by these unselfish men and women makes me proud to say that I am an American!
As we continued to watch, another 184 people were killed in the attack on the Pentagon. Again we witnessed the “first responders” as they arrived on the scene and without any reservations began to perform the duties for which they had been trained. They pulled injured victims from the burning building, and we witnessed our heroes in action.
The final act of terrorism unfolded as United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in an open field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania after the passengers revolted. Out of the four planes hijacked on that day, it was the only one that did not reach its target. All 44 passengers aboard flight 93 perished as they fought for their lives. Many acts of heroism were witnessed on September 11, 2001. On this 10th anniversary of 9/11/01 we must “Never Forget” the brave men and women aboard flight 93. They made the ultimate sacrifice as they struggled with the terrorists who intended to destroy America. I believe America is great because Americans are good. One writer said “when America ceases to be good America will cease to be great!
The Dillon County Ministerial Alliance along with Judge James Lockemy has put together a wonderful program for Sunday September 11, 2011 at 6pm. The churches and citizens of Dillon County are coming together at the City of Dillon Wellness Center to remember this infamous date in the history of America. A parade of “first responders” will begin at 5pm at the Piggly Wiggly parking lot and travel down Hwy. 301 N to Commerce Drive to arrive at the Wellness Center for the 6pm service. The Memorial service will begin at 6pm and the program will feature a 100+ member community choir. NYC Police Det John Cavalante (retired) will be sharing some of his experiences as he responded to the WTC rescue efforts on 9/11/01. Rev James Smith, Pastor of East Dillon Baptist Church will present the gospel message during this memorial service. The Dillon County Ministerial Alliance will recognize the “first responders” of Dillon County. We will pay tribute to
the memory of those who perished in the 9/11/01 attacks during this memorial service. We encourage you to line the parade route, attend the 6pm service and support these activities planned on 9/11/11 in Dillon County. God bless America and let America bless God!
“I arrived home from NYC the night before 9-11 after having a nice visit with daughter, Shelley Barclay. When I heard the news the next morning and watched the plane fly into the tower my heart sank. Shelley had gone to vote and wasn’t in danger at the time. It really makes you stop and think how fortunate that many survived and how said that many did not. We realize that God was at work because at the time many miracles happened in that people that usually would have been there at work were not because some instance kept them from being there at the time. 9-11 has shone Americans how blessed we are to live in our country and how the bravery and courage of our responders set an example for all of us.”—Betty Lou Barclay
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“On September 11, 2001, our nation was put on a permanent war footing by the terror of that day which launched an open-ended, perpetual war on terror. Today, September 11, 2001 is our past, present, and will forever affect our future. May God bless the many families who were the victims of 9/11. May God bless America.”—Douglas Pernell
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“I have a framed snapshot of my two children playing in the sand at the beach. It was taken in August, 2001, when one child was age 4 and the other 14 months. In the background of this photo is an American flag flying on a pole in front of a beach house. To most folks who view this picture (including said children), it’s just an ordinary snapshot of a day at the beach, but every time I look at this photo I am reminded that at that moment in time my children were living and playing in a very different America than they would be just another month from then — and forever after.”—Marcia Bethea
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“On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor which was called by Franklin D. Roosevelt as ‘’A day that will live in infamy.’ September 11, 2001 is a day the world will never forget. Two times the world was shocked when the United States was attacked. When I think about September 11th, I can’t help but remember that morning when I heard that a plan had hit one of the Twin Towers. When they announced the second had hit, I knew it was no mistake, but still could not believe that something like this had happened. On that day, it drew the people of the U.S. closer together and made us realize that freedom is not free and men and women, not just military, have lost their lives for the price of freedom. As a veteran who served during Desert Storm, it made me mad to think that someone would attack our nation. As we look back on that day, we should remember and not take our freedom for granted and remember those who have lost their lives that day
and those who are still fighting for our freedom.”—Keith Poston
What September 11, 2001 Means To Me
On September 11, 2001 I was on my way to work when I heard on the radio of the vicious attacks on our country. As I finished my drive in shock listening to what was happening, I thought of all that this could mean to so many people. I thought what it would mean to my family as at the time me, my father, and my brother were all currently serving our country in the South Carolina Army National Guard. What would our orders be and who was responsible for what was happening to our country?
As the days past and the details continued to come out about the events of 9-11, and as we learned that it may be the work of terrorists, I wondered again what it would mean for me and my brothers in arms but also thought of all the families in America that had already been tragically affected. I hoped that they were finding a way to get through the horrific event and that we as a country could regain the security and strength we once new. I mostly hoped that me as a US Soldier could help to bring the American people back to that strength and security we all hold so dear.
It is hard to ever say there was anything good about September 11, 2001, but in the days after I saw a country that felt a need to rise up above a terrorist attack and show love and respect for one another. In short I would say that, all in all, 9-11 means to me that no matter what you throw at Americans we will always be prepared to respond and persevere. As bad as the events of the attacks were I will always know that we rose above and will always be able to feel good about the pride I’ve always felt being an American and the special sense of pride I get having the privilege to serve this country as one of its service men and women.
—SSG Bo Rouse
Delta Company 1st Battalion 118th Combined Arms Battallion
Ten Year Anniversary
of 9/11
On September 11, 2011 I was studying for a year abroad, in Finland. I came home from school in the afternoon, and turned on the TV to watch a few minutes of the BBC World News before going to another class. I was not prepared to see the North Tower of the World Trade Center burning and was even less prepared for everything that followed. As I watched, an explosion rocked the South Tower. I remember wondering to myself how the fire department was going to fight such large fire so high in a building. Just before I left for class the media began speculating on terrorist involvement.
At class I told the other American students to turn on the news when they got home, but did not realize the gravity of the events that were unfolding as we sat there in class. I rushed home after class and was met by my host parents at the door. The concern on their faces told me instantly that the situation was much worse than I had imagined. We watched the news together as they showed the Twin Towers collapsing, the fires burning from the crash in the Pentagon, and the burning crater of United Flight 93.
At the time I was eagerly planning to go to college and pursue a career in music business. Several months after 9/11, however, I picked up a copy of Newsweek that had an in-depth article about the Army Special Forces, the Green Berets. I was so impressed with their professionalism and courage that I decided then and there to join the Army, like my father, who was serving in Kosovo at that time. On my first day as a student at Presbyterian College I went straight to the military science (ROTC) department and signed up. Four years later I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the South Carolina Army National Guard. I also joined a local fire department and instantly fell in love with the job, proud to follow in the footsteps of the 343 FDNY firefighters and paramedics who gave their lives on that fateful day to help over 14,000 people safely evacuate the World Trade Center.
Today I continue to work as a professional firefighter in Asheville, NC and I am currently serving in the SC National Guard as the command of the unit in Dillon. I am extremely honored to work alongside so many others who followed a similar path to mine, determined to do something about what happened on 9/11. Many of the Soldiers and firefighters I work with were only eight to ten years old on that fateful day, but every one of them made the decision to serve, in large part because of what happened ten years ago. For all of us, 9/11 put us on the path to where we are today.
9/11 will continue to shape our lives, but in order for the changes to be positive, we need to work hard, as individuals and as a country, to make things better. We continue to be a culture of excess and waste. We continue to drive ourselves, individually and nationally, further into debt. Despite great advances in medicine, we are seeing alarming trends in our overall health and well-being. Our education system is not keeping up with the rest of the world. I do not mention these things to criticize, point fingers, or reinforce negative attitudes, but to me the best way to remember 9/11 is to make this country better for future generations. To do that we need to forget our sense of entitlement, and remember that hard work is what built this country, what allowed us to keep going after 9/11, and will be what keeps us going strong in the future. To honor all those who died on 9/11, and all those who gave their life for our safety and freedom, I will
do everything I can to make this world a better place, and I hope all of you do the same.
—David J. House
Captain, Armor
Company Commander
Company D, 1-118th Combined Arms Battalion
Impact Of 9/11
This is the third year I have written about September 11, or as some of us remember 9/11. Each time I try to think of ways that 9/11 has impacted my life as a Soldier and a civilian. As a Soldier, I am able to see first-hand, all the precautionary measures taken by the government on a regular basis. Each day, week, or month, some new alert will post telling us about measures Alcida, or any terrorist group, has attempted to attack on the U.S. And them measures that we should take at each armory, like making all personnel who enter the armory sign in and out, and show proof of identification. To most who come into the armory, this may sound absurd, but if and when something happens in your (our) backyard, there is always that one person or group that will make the comment, “They should have done more” or “they should have known better.”
What struck my curiosity though, is that when September 11th comes around each year, all precautionary measures are heightened. There is no doubt that we are still vulnerable to attack on American soil, however, most Americans are vigilant about their surroundings now. And, as well they should be. Everyone seems to get mad about the continued stricter guidelines after everything has calmed down after a while, but they would be the same ones to cast the first stone if something happened.
As a civilian, I constantly find myself doing little things to be more aware. Things like, never sit with my back to a door, getting an aisle seat when flying, or always watching the watchers. I tend to be ever more cautious when my family is with me.
I have watched friends leave home and fight the war on terrorism in Afghanistan from 2006 to the present year.
Two of my good friends, SSG James Bullard and SGT Edward Philpot, lost their lives fighting for our freedom.
As the saying goes, “All gave some, and some gave all.” But I know I will see them again one day; oh that glorious day. Several of my friends have returned home with different attitudes toward life. And it is sad to say, but some of our Soldiers from around the state and nation, return home only to take their own lives.
Each year since 2006, the State of South Carolina has sent men and women to the battlefield in either Afghanistan or Iraq, and each year it gets harder. Each year, we lose one or two, or more, there, or here.
I leave you all with this prayer.
My gracious and loving Father, Creator of all things, God, I pray that You will guide the footsteps of each Soldier. Spare their lives while they fight this war, give them strong hearts and willful mind. Be with their family and loved ones during the time of separation, and comfort them in times of distress. I pray the lost will seek Your guidance and the fallen will stand again, firm in your presence. God, grant us wisdom to change the things we can, and understanding for the things we cannot. Amen.
Proudly and humbly serving,
SSG Russell Williams
