Saturday, September 11, 2010

A Small Town Remembers













This morning I woke up to the sound of sirens. They continued to wail at intervals all day. I get chills when I hear ambulance or fire engine sirens. I always wonder whose house is burning, or what poor person is in the back of the ambulance. I suppose I will read all about it in tomorrow's paper. I have riden in the back of an ambulance on more than one occasion. Sitting beside a loved one, and years later being the victim myself. I know about the rushed and swaying trip to the hospital, the loud siren wail just above your head, the flashing lights making strobe-like reflections on the road, the medics beside you radioing the hospital to get instructions on treatment. But this time I did not think just about the victim, I thought about the rescuers. The men driving, risking their lives to save a life. Running headfirst into buildings and not knowing what they will find. So here is what I found downtown today. This is how one small town remembers September 11. Main Street lined with flags. A wreath at the firehouse, and the fire trucks doors all open, waiting....all flags everywhere at half mast. The sun was still shining, God is still in control.


"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38

24 comments:

Joyful said...

It is said it is good to remember history so we don't repeat it. I pray that is true. God bless

Anonymous said...

A beautiful post Ginny.

DawnTreader said...

Always worrying to hear the sound of sirens. I've never had to go in one yet, although I have had to go urgently into hospital twice. But not by ambulance. I was aware of the date yesterday, thinking of all American friends.

Kilauea Poetry said...

Thanks- this was meaningful Ginny..so true isn't it! Love that verse too! This is a nice assortment of photos as well.

Reanaclaire said...

oh yeah..today is September 11.. now only I remember.. yes.. a touching post this is.. praise unto those who risk their lives to save lives..

Arti said...

Oh yes... Whenever I hear those sirens, my heart says a silent prayer...
Lord heal with your gentle touch... Something my mother had taught me when I was young...
The quote truly reflects our feelings on this sad day.

RoeH said...

Great post. I watched a little bit on the History Channel yesterday but I can't take a lot of it. It was just too....depressing for lack of a better word ... to take myself back there 9 years ago. On one hand I want to just move on and not have to hear about it every single year. On the other hand I know we just cannot forget it and all those innocent souls who were caught in a madman's terror. Why we haven't been able to take out that madman is a frustrating thing with me.

MadSnapper said...

what a pefect little town street, wish i could walk along it with you. i miss small town america a lot. and you were right to think about the ones doing the rescue, they put themselves in danger, even the ones driving the EMS rescue. i have riden twice in the back of the amulbance, once when my SUV rolled over 3 times and when my son was 12 he was hit by a car and i rode with him. sounds we don't forget and i know the ones involved in 911 will never forget the sounds either. great post

Jane said...

This is a terrific post. Hope that your weekend has been filled with good things too!

Jane

pam said...

Indeed...no matter what God still sits on the throne.

From the Kitchen said...

You've brought to mind what many of us forget--both in the September tragedy and the everyday of life--those who risk their lives to protect ours. I'm glad for such a poignant reminder!

I love it when you post local photos. Makes me nostalgic!

Best,
Bonnie

Ruth's Photo Blog said...

The thoughts that come from hearing sirens are usually not happy thoughts,but I love how you turn them around and place our focus on God who,Praise the Lord,is still in control and always will be.
Blessings,ruth

S. Etole said...

He is always faithful in the midst of it all ...

Betsy Banks Adams said...

I am crying again this morning, Ginny... Don't know why--but 9/11 this year really effected me. Maybe it's because of all of the other horrible stuff going on in our country--but I have been terribly sad...

Great post... We don't ever want to forget those firemen and others who put their lives in danger (not only on 9/11) but every single day to help US.

God Bless You.
Hugs,
Betsy

Anonymous said...

Hi Ginny, We remembered at our home yesterday. We had Old Glory in its weather proof version flying - it rained cats and dogs here yesterday. Nice post today! Have a super good day! By the way, you really stumped me with that wringer photo.

srp said...

If we forget then it WILL happen again.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Ginny, this is a lovely post. Blessings to you and all others who recognize the importance of this day. Hugs...Mary

Karin said...

We remembered! I was just starting my work of setting up for the morning exercise group and had just turned on the TV. Because we lived in NY (Brooklyn) for a year and had our second daughter born there, I always perk up my ears when there is anything about NY. I just froze,my mouth dropped open, I had to clamp my hand over my mouth so as not to scream. It was totally unbelievable! In that same moment though my heart was praying - asking for lives to be spared - for miracles to happen. I also called some other staff and soon we had the whole room full of people watching this horrific media coverage but praying for God's intervention in ways we could not imagine. My heart aches every year as we think of this.

Our 3rd grandchild had turned 4 years old on the day that it happened. We celebrated his birthday again yesterday and he will always be connected to that event.

Thanks for your beautiful post of how your town remembers.

George said...

We don't really have a downtown here in the Glade, but our flags were at half-mast and the fire trucks were in front of the station with wreaths on each of them.
Thanks for a very nice tribute.

Glenda said...

Beautiful from-the-heart post, Ginny!
In control He'll always be . . . "great is thy faithfulness"

Doris Sturm said...

Thank you for that post. That was very nice to read about your town. Very touching.

SquirrelQueen said...

What a touching way for your town to remember. I noticed the flags in our town were also at half mast yesterday.

It is unnerving to hear the sirens. Because my hubby works for a power utility we have scanners tuned to fire and police as well as the company. What I hear on them sometimes is more unsettling than the sirens themselves.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue ι™ˆζ΄ι›ͺ said...

I don't go to shows because they cost too much. Tonight I am going to a free show put on by our school's year 5 and 6 students. Bugsy Malone. I have seen them wearing their costumes, and reminds me of the Great Gatsby. A book I had to study for High School, but I still can't understand.

ruthi said...

i could picture the event in my mind as you recount the incident. it must have been scary.

i was in the Philippines when Sept 11 bombing happened and i watched it on TV. I was crying when I watched it. At first I thought it was a scene in the movie then it dawned on me that it was for real then all of a sudden i was worrying about my relatives here in the US.

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