WTC

it's really hard to believe that next month will mark the 5th anniversary of 09/11. i'd been to a few movies that ran the new WTC preview beforehand and i'd been building up to checking out what Oliver Stone came up with to document this tragedy. much to my surprise the film really didn't focus on the horrific side of that event, rather it was written from the perspective of two of the survivors that were buried 20 feet under the rubble. i was very pleased with the accuracy and overall attention to detail that Mr. Stone captured, not to mention the positive spin that he places on an otherwise tragic series of events.
this film really sheds a different light on what most of the world viewed that september, paying real tribute to the way that all walks of life came to the aid of fallen men and women, in hopes that it would be one less casualty lost to the hand of terrorists.
i recommend that each of you take in this film when time permits.

thinking back on that september morning, i'm reminded of how i woke to my sister-in-law screaming loud enough to alarm the neighborhood. however, i recall a great deal of similar emotions coming from every direction, almost in unison. the breathtaking cries were easily the most awkward way i have every been introduced to another day, but it would of course become even more unbelievable.
the day was just like any other, i planned to get an early jump with my sister-in-law so she could take me around town. it was my first time to LA and we had the typical touristy things in mind, at least she did because she was kind enough to offer to escort me around the places i had only previously seen on television. she and my brother had of course tired of all the attractions as they had made their home twenty minutes outside of downtown LA for almost five years prior to that point. nevertheless, the idea was to take me out so i could see everything for myself. i wasn't necessarily up late the night before but i didn't get a quick jump as i had intended. in fact, as i had already mentioned, the following day began with much more than anyone could have imagined.
rather than have you grow tired of all the intimate details, i can tell you that the next few days were clearly unlike any others i had in my life. the entire city known for it's bright lights and hot night life had been limited to all but police and fire engine sirens. the entire area was ordered to be evacuated and it wasn't long after that the police chief issued a lock-down.
i still look at some of the pictures i took that day that have the date stamped and think back to what was going on thousands of miles east of my location, not knowing quite how to feel about the terrible loss we'd encountered as a nation.
i made it down the walk of stars and onto the chinese mann theater walkway before my sister-in-law and i were escorted out of the city as part of the evacuation. the idea was associated with uncomfirmed reports that LAX airport was potentially another target.

i was of course pleased to be spending extra time with my family considering the airport was shut down completely, however i wasn't the least bit excited about the circumstances surrounding the reason i was grounded. this also didn't do too much for my level of confidence in flying. it took a little over two and a half hours to get through security clearance the morning of my flight back to michigan.

i am reminded of the inconveniences i felt on the day our nation's freedom was breached. at the same time, my experiences are unimportant compared to thousands of people in harm's way.

i salute the men and women that gave their lives so others could live theirs to the fullest. it is my belief that God works in very mysterious ways but there's no mistaking the calculated effect of the messengers and rescue workers that He sent in the face of danger.

may the heroism of those people and their legacies live strong, and may we all cherish the life He gave us and do our part to preserve this great nation, bringing creedence back to the meaning behind the land of the free and home of the brave.