AN: "The Tribute" is not part of the story line. I wanted to write something for the 9/11 Anniversary.
****The Tribute****
September 11, 2020: Lightning and the other sheriff's deputies waited alongside the road. Scarlett, Oliver, and Duncan waited patiently in the road. In the distance, red and blue flashing lights could be seen. Slowly the procession got closer to town. As soon as the convoy was right outside of the city limits, the state police troopers pulled back, allowing the sheriff's department to escort the semi into town. The semi pulled a flatbed, draped in a black cloth. In red, white, and blue colors, the words "We shall never forget." was printed on a large billboard. Atop the cloth set a twisted and partly melted I-beam. It was a piece of steel from the world trade center. It was touring the country as a moving memorial. Bouquets of flowers surrounded the beam. Most of the townsfolk were waiting on the sides of the road. Some of the cars talked with each other, but most just stood quietly. As the procession passed by, people would throw flowers onto the trailer. By the time the procession reached City Hall, the trailer and beam were covered in flowers. A small stage had been set up in front of the Stanly statue. The town's mayor, Jessica Vera, and other elected officials waited patiently as the I-beam was pulled slowly up to the stage. Once everything was ready, Jessica rolled up to the microphone.
At 8:46am: Red rang his fire bell, signaling the time when Flight 11, crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Center.
"Good morning." She said "It has now been 19 years. 19 years since the peace of an American morning was broken. 19 years since nearly 3,000 beautiful lives were taken from us. 19 years of moments they would have shared with us. 19 years of memories they would have made. Here, once more, we pray for the souls of those we remember, their families, who love them forever, and for a nation that has been inspired by your example - your determination to carry on, your resolve to live lives worthy of their memories. As Americans, we draw strength from you. For your love is the ultimate rebuke to the hatred of those who attacked us that bright, blue morning. They sought to do more than bring down buildings and murder our people. They sought to break our spirit and to prove to the world that their power to destroy was greater than our power to persevere and to build. But you, and America, proved them wrong. America endures in the strength of your families who, through your anguish, kept living. You have kept alive a love that no act of terror can ever extinguish. You, their sons and daughters, are growing into extraordinary young men and women they knew you could be. By your shining example, your families have turned this day into something that those who attacked us could never abide, and that is a tribute of hope over fear, and love over hate. America endures in the tenacity of our survivors. After grievous wounds, you learned to walk again and stand again. After terrible burns, you smiled once more. For you, for our nation, these have been difficult years. In the lives of service that you have led, you embody the truth that no matter what comes our way, America will always come out stronger. America endures in the dedication of those who keep us safe. The firefighter, the officer, the EMT who carries the memory of a fallen partner as they report to work each and every day, prepared to make the same sacrifice for us all. Because of these men and women, Americans now work in a gleaming Freedom Tower. We visit our great cities, we fill our stadiums and cheer for our teams. We carry on, because, as Americans, we do not give in to fear - ever. America endures in the courage of the men and women who serve under our flag. Over more than a decade of war, this 9/11 Generation has answered our country's call. Today, we honor all who have made the ultimate sacrifice these 19 years, more than 6,800 American patriots. And we give thanks to those who serve in harm's way to keep our country safe and meet the threats of our time. America endures in that perennial optimism that defines us as a people. Beginning tomorrow, there will be teenagers –- young adults –- who were born after 9/11. It's remarkable. And while these young Americans did not know the horrors of that day, their lives have been shaped by all the days since - a time that has brought us pain, but also taught us endurance and strength; a time of rebuilding, of resilience, and of renewal. What gives us hope –- what gives me hope -– is that it is these young Americans who will shape all the days to come. 19 years after small and hateful minds conspired to break us, America stands tall and America stands proud. And guided by the values that sustain us, we will only grow stronger. Generations from now, Americans will still fill our parks, our stadiums, our cities. Generations from now, Americans will still build towers that reach toward the heavens; still serve in embassies that stand for freedom around the world; still wear the uniform and give meaning to those words written two centuries ago: Land of the free. Home of the Brave. Generations from now, no matter the trial, no matter the challenge, America will always be America. "We count as blessed those who have persevered."**
At 9:03am: Red rings his bell to signal the time when Flight 175 crashes in to the South tower of the World Trade Center. Sphinx, DJ's, daughter, took her place at a piano and played an original piece she had written exclusively for this ceremony.
At 9:37am: Red rings his bell to signal when Flight 77 crashed into the pentagon. A white Pontiac Grand Prix, wearing religious robes rolled towards the microphone.
"Let us pray." Reverend Wintley Phipps said "We pray today that from the ashes will rise a new spirit of beauty and unity in America. Already, all across this nation our hearts have been knit together into a new tapestry of one America. Because of this tragedy, we have been bound together by a silver chord of hope and brotherhood and sisterhood. What was meant to drive us apart has really drawn us together. May we always remember. And so today we ask, God, that you would wipe the tears of all in need of comfort. That you would warm the heart of one who would grow cold from bitterness. That you would lift the head of that one who is bowed down in sadness. That you would touch the discouraged and remind them that love will always conquer hate. We thank you, God, for making us such a resilient people. We know that we are. And we pray now for the strength to rise again, to build again, and to live free from fear. We pray that you will help us rebuild our broken lives and mend our broken hearts. We pray that you will give us the courage to face evil and the faith to believe that good will never be defeated. Hold us close to your heart. And through our tears, and through our sorrow, may we all see a new vision of a new tomorrow." ***
At 9:58am: Red rings his bell to signal the collapse of the South Tower. With Sphinx accompanying her on the piano, Flo sung a gospel hymn. After that, she belted out, Peter, Paul and Mary's 'If I Had a Hammer.'
At 10:03: Red rings his bell signaling the crash of Flight 93. After a moment of silence, two high school kids approached the podium.
"Kim and I have been asked to read our poems. Mine is called List of 'Don't Forgets' and 'Remembers'." Randy said clearing his throat
"We were eight.
Before September 11th, we would wake up with a list of "Don't Forgets"
Don't forget to wash your face
Don't forget to brush your teeth
Don't forget to do your homework
Don't forget to wear your jacket
Don't forget to clean your room
Don't forget to take a bath
After September 11th, we wake up with a list of "Remembers"
Remember to greet the sun each morning
Remember to enjoy every meal
Remember to thank your parents for their hard work
Remember to honor those who keep you safe
Remember to value each person you meet
Remember to respect other's beliefs
Now we are nine. -September 11 awoke us to the threat of terrorism. It was forever bookmarked in our history as the day when life as Americans knew it, changed forever."****
After light applause, the teenagers switched positions.
"I'm Kimberly, my poem is called, Who Am I." she said with tears in her eyes
"I am no one special.
I'm the little boy that gives up his favorite teddy bear so that a stranger might be comforted.
I'm the single mother who has been trying to teach her child to sleep in their own bed, who holds them tight long into the night, thanking God it wasn't her child that died.
I'm the old man, angry and resentful that his military doesn't want him because of his age.
I'm the teenage girl that spends hours cutting ribbons for others to wear as a symbol of remembrance.
I'm the young man who doesn't understand why his father was running up the stairs as the building fell, trying to save just one more person, instead of saving himself.
I'm the old woman who will never see her grandchild again.
I'm the little girl, playing with her doll, who can't understand when someone screams hateful things at her because of where her family is from.
I'm the police officer, trying to keep idiotic reporters safe, when his wife is still among the missing.
I'm the fire fighter that called in sick that day, only to discover that someone else died in his place.
I'm the man who survived the falling building only to learn that his sister and baby niece were in the plane.
I'm the secretary, angered by the seemingly callous response of those around her.
I'm a spelunker, who is climbing down into the remains of a building, hoping to find someone still alive.
I'm the dog handler, searching for bodies, that has to comfort my animal when only death remains.
I'm the woman who stands in line for five hours in order to give blood, hoping to help strangers in need.
I'm the man who gets up and goes to work every day, in spite of the tragedy, because he still has a family to feed.
I'm the first passenger to get back on a plane, even though I'm terrified, because I know somebody has to be first.
Who am I?
I'm nobody special.
I'm just an American.*****
At 10:28am: Red rings his bell to signal the time that the North tower collapsed.
Sarge raised his trumpet to his lips and started playing taps. Once taps were played Oliver lead a 21-gun salute followed immediately by 2 minutes of silence. The mayor closed the ceremony by laying a wreath on the flatbed.
Once the ceremony was over, Scarlett dismissed all the officers. Lightning drove over to Sally and Tara. Sally laid a single white rose on Lightning's hood. He didn't say a word as he kissed her, then headed over to the trailer. While Red was stoic during the ceremony, he was now openly crying as he laid a wreath on the trailer. As a lifelong friend, Duncan drove over and did his best to console him. Lightning solemnly drove to the other side of the trailer. Although he was not a religious car, Lightning recited a police officer's prayer.
"O almighty God whose great power and eternal wisdom embrace the universe, watch over all Law Enforcement Officers. Protect us from harm in the performance of our duty to stop crime, robberies, riots and violence." He said "I pray to help my brothers keep our streets and homes safe day and night. I recommend them to your care because I know that our duty is dangerous. Grant us your unending strength and courage in our daily assignments. Dear God, protect all these brave officers, grant them your almighty protection, unite them safely with their families after duty ends… Amen."
After a moment of silence, Lightning headed back to Sally and Tara. For the next two hours, the semi remained in town. The café served punch and snacks. After the two hours for up, the state police troopers surrounded the semi. The procession slowly left town, heading for Phoenix.
**AN- Remarks by the President at 9/11 Memorial—The White house. com *comments have been modified*
*** "A Healing Prayer" the Reverend Wintley Phipps- www. oprah tows/ pastshows/tows_past_ 20010920_ prayer .html
**** Poem by Randy Forbes
***** Poem by Kimberly Dunne
Lyrics to Peter, Paul and Mary's - If I Had A Hammer:
If I had a hammer
I'd hammer in the morning
I'd hammer in the evening
All over this land
I'd hammer out danger
I'd hammer out a warning
I'd hammer out love between
My brothers and my sisters, ah-ah
All over this land
If I had a bell
I'd ring it in the morning
I'd ring it in the evening
All over this land
I'd ring out danger
I'd ring out a warning
I'd ring out love between
My brothers and my sisters, ah-ah
All over this land
If I had a song
I'd sing it in the morning
I'd sing it in the evening
All over this world
I'd sing out danger
I'd sing out a warning
I'd sing out love between
My brothers and my sisters ah-ah
All over this land
I got a hammer
And I've got a bell
And I've got a song to sing
All over this land
It's the hammer of justice
It's the bell of freedom
It's the song about love between
My brothers and my sisters
All over this land
All over this land
All over this land
All over this land
All over this land
All over this land
All over this land
AN: I know I wrote this a few years ago, I didn't have time to write anything for this year.
