Community Columnist Kerri Green

BY KERRI GREEN

Sun Columnist

Dear Friends,

Twenty years ago this week our world was turned upside down. The notion that we, as Americans, were safe and secure, separated from the wars and fighting throughout the world was shattered into a million pieces. Even as I begin to write my column this week, I am taken back to that moment when I realized what was happening and felt fear like I have never felt before.

This week, as the 20th anniversary looms, we will remember the events surrounding September 11, 2001. When you live through something this big, it leaves an imprint on you. When I think about that day, I instantly feel the same fear, anxiety and disbelief. It gives me chills, to be honest with you. It was such a massive that something like this could happen. Even now, looking back, it doesn’t seem quite real. But to the thousands who lost their lives, to the families who still cope with that loss, and to those who went in droves to help, it is all too real.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was working at WCDO Radio as a receptionist. The phone rang a little before 9 am and usually at this time we were taking names for the ‘Birthday Club’. I answered the phone, pen and paper in hand, ready to write down the birthday name when a male voice said, “A plane just hit one of the Twin Towers!” “What?” was my response? “Are you serious?” Obviously, I was not grasping what this person was saying, and it came so out of left field I didn’t think I heard him right. “Let me talk Rob”, he said, frustration in his voice. Rob Ray was our News Director and morning DJ. I put the caller on hold and went into the studio to relay the message to Rob, who looked at me bewildered. “Say that again?” he responded. I told him again what the man had said, and he immediately took the call. Within minutes we switched to the CNN satellite, and all listened in horror as details of the morning were revealed.

I remember sitting in the front office, listening to the constant CNN newsfeed and hearing the story unfold about not one, not two but four planes that were hijacked. Two had been flown into the Twin Towers in New York City, one into the Pentagon and the fourth had their plot foiled when the courageous passengers took back the plane and it crashed in Pennsylvania, likely saving hundreds of lives. To this day I can still hear the haunted phone messages left by passengers and crew members to their families, their fate sealed.

The days and weeks that followed were intense, horrifying, and shocking as we learned more about the 19 terrorists who entered the United States with one purpose: instilling terror into the hearts of all Americans.

Despite this horrific time in our history, it was also a time of coming together. Never before and never again since have I seen our country come together in solidarity like it did after September 11th. It didn’t matter race, gender, political affiliation. We were all Americans and would not stand for this violation of our country, our people and we would fight back.

There were some really great songs that came out after this attack and listening to them now can still pull me back to that time. One of which is by Alan Jackson, “Where were you [when the world stopped turning]”. If you haven’t listened to that song in a while, you should and see if it gives you the same chills it gave me. Another great one is by Toby Keith, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)”.

“Now this nation I love has fallen under attack, a mighty sucker punch came flying in from somewhere in the back. Soon as we could see clearly through our big black eye. Man, we lit up your world like the Fourth of July”.

The resiliency of the United States was a powerful message to the world. We all felt it. We all came together. We were united in our anger and need to stand up for those we lost.

If we learned anything from this nightmare, it’s that we are stronger together. We do have the ability to put our differences aside. We can act as one nation, one voice and we can be there for each other. It’s so frustrating that it takes such a massive blow for us to remember this. I feel like Mufasa, coming out of the clouds booming “Remember who you are!”

In honor of the 20th anniversary, there are going to be many ways you can pay tribute to those we lost. I am extremely honored to be attending a 9/11 Memorial unveiling this Saturday, September 11th. My friend, Jim Webb, has been leading the construction of a memorial, outside the Lok-N-Logs office on State Route 12 in Sherburne.

This memorial is an exact 1/100th replica of the Twin Towers and inscribed on the side of the granite are the words “Never Forget”. The unveiling ceremony will take place at 11:00 a.m. and I am truly honored to be a part of this ceremony. In addition to the unveiling, Lok-N-Logs has partnered with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation; the mission of this foundation is to support first responders and military families who need assistance. Lok-N-Logs will match all donations, up to $10,000; for more information on this program, you can go to: https://t2t.org/

No matter how you choose to remember the events of September 11th, the important thing that we do remember and find a way to honor those who gave their lives. This was an attack on all Americans, our way of life and our freedom.

I am sending a prayer to the souls we lost and comfort to those who were left behind. It’s up to all of us to continue to honor them through prayer and remembrance.

~ Kerri