Clay Aiken Montage Reflects 9-11 Anniversary

9-11-01 Tribute Montage by Yollie950
'Grace of God' and 'It's in Everyone of Us' by Clay Aiken.

The 10-Year Anniversary

America Remembers 9/11/01

In memory of the senseless devastation and tragic loss of lives in America 10 years ago today.

To the survivors of loved ones lost in the 9/11/01 terrorist invasion, know that America remembers. This country also pays tribute to the brave men and women whose heroic actions saved lives in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC.

"Grace of God" and "It's in Everyone of Us" by Clay Aiken are featured in the 9-11-01 Tribute Montage, which also can be viewed at YouTube.

One of final photos by the late Bill Biggart.

Photographer Leaves 9-11 Legacy

Professional photographer Bill Biggart died taking pictures when the second tower fell. In the aftermath, some of Biggart's digital photos were recovered from his camera's memory card.

You can read the story at Bill Biggart's Final Exposures. View a slide show of his amazing photos from Seeing the Horror. Expandable, the first is printed below.

God Bless America - Remembrance Flag is expandable.

In 2001, I wasn't in the habit of turning on the TV that early; but, for some reason, I was watching the TODAY Show that fateful morning. I remember with horror and disbelief as I watched the terrorists' planes fly into the twin towers and the terrible aftermath we witnessed in real time the rest of that day.

According to those who commented in the 9/11/2009 blog, Canada and other flew flags at half mast that fateful day in 2001. Jannet Moranz posted this reflection:

It was a day that no American living on this planet at the time will ever forget. Sometimes I measure my life in terms of before and after.

Anniversary Design Depicts Then, Now

Commissioned to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9-11, the drawing by EKTIMIS depicts through symbolism the New York city skyline and its reflection in the adjacent Hudson river.

The skyline illustrates the current city skyline, while the reflection in the river illustrates the same skyline prior to 9-11 with the World Trade Center standing.

One of three specially-commissioned artworks by EKTIMIS, the high grade 24" x 32" wall poster can be ordered at 9/11 Tenth Year. The sample below is clickable.

Poster commemorates 10th anniversary of 9/11.

The four eagles soaring in the top left corner of the drawing depict the four divisions of the U.S. armed forces that were dispatched abroad to protect the country, soon after the events on 9-11 - the U.S. Air Force, the Army, the Marines, and the Navy.

The two eagles hovering above the water (separated from the four above) represent the two divisions of the U.S. armed forces that stayed behind promptly after 9-11 to protect the U.S. homeland - the National Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard / Border Patrol.

The stems of red roses held tightly within the claws of one of the hovering eagles represent and memorialize the lives lost since 9-11. The falling red petals from the roses leave a visible trail in the water back to the image of the World Trade Center twin towers, further depicting the connection of the lives lost with the towers.

Gander, NF, hosted stranded travelers in 2001.- Clickable.

Canadian Town Honored at 9/11 Event

In her blog comment this week, Sandy Hall wrote about a little known part Canada played during the week of 9/11/01:

Our paper has been running articles all week. One story that touched my heart was about the friendships that were formed in Gander, Newfoundland, when the town became home to thousands of stranded travelers and welcomed these complete strangers into their homes.

The tiny town of Gander, Newfoundland, hosted passengers from 38 planes that were forced to land in Canada after the US was attacked. The town was honored for its help in a ceremony in Washington, DC, on Thursday. Read the complete story at the CBC News site.

Countless Remembering 9/11 galleries are featured at Life Magazine online. Also, see Revisiting 9/11, unplublished photos by James Nachtwey at Time.

Where were you on 9/11 10 years ago? Share your reflections and personal experiences in the comments below. Staying vigilant and united, we will never forget September 11, 2001.

God bless America!

Caro

See previous Carolina entry for I AM NORM/National Inclusion Project progress/voting links in the Pepsi Refresh campaign for a $50,000 grant.

The 2010 9/11 entry paid tribute to the 343 fallen firefighters who gave their lives saving others at Ground Zero: Iron and Steel Brigades Honor 9/11 Fallen.

Thank you for sharing your 9/11 experiences in the blog comments. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom of that section, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided.

Iron and Steel Brigades Honor 9/11 Fallen

Never Forget - Montage by Aspiegirl
A tribute to the fallen firefighters of 9/11.
View full screen at YouTube.

Iron and Steel Biker Brigades

Firefighters Honor 9/11 Fallen

On a day the world remembers the men and women who died in the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks on the United States, we also pay tribute to the 343 firefighters who perished at ground zero in order to save others.

The montage above was created by Clay Aiken fan Aspiegirl at the request of the mother of "California Mike," who had joined hundreds of firefighters in the 2009 Iron and Steel memorial bike ride from New York City to the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, GA, where an I-beam was dedicated to Army soldiers who have served this nation since the 9/11 attacks.

Among those honored in 2009 was New Yorker Rick Rescorta, a Vietnam hero who gave his life helping to save others on 9/11/01.

Riding in formation, the firefighter biker brigade was met at each state line by highway patrol and escorted to the next state line. Along the way, they were saluted by cheering Americans on highway overpasses, as well as at designated fire company stops.

2010 Brigade Bikes to Virginia

In August, two weeks before the ninth anniversary of 9/11, firefighter bikers assembled at ground zero and delivered steel beams from the World Trade Center to the Arlington County (VA) Fire Department, whose members were the first responders after a third plane crashed into the Pentagon. The beams will be incorporated into a memorial yet to be designed.

"California Mike," son of CA fan Sally, also participated in the 2010 event and is scheduled to arrive back at his home fire station today. His bike can be seen in the final frame of the featured montage.

In 2008, the first Iron and Steel biker brigade escorted a two-beam cross section to the volunteer fire company in Shanksville, PA, initial responders to the crash of United Flight 93, the fourth plane commandeered by terrorists.

The montage also honors families and loved ones who have pulled together since 9/11/01. Nearly 3,000 people died in the 9/11 attacks, including 23 New York Police Department officers and 37 Port Authority police officers, as well as victims in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon.

The "Never Forget" montage is accompanied by Creed's recording of "With Arms Wide Open."

America will never forget.

Caro

See previous Carolina On My Mind entry for National Inclusion Project voting links in the Pepsi Refresh campaign for a $50,000 grant.

Thank you for your blog comments and props for contributing artists. To leave a remark, scroll to the bottom of that section, click on the "Post a Comment" link, and write in the box provided. Many thnx for stopping by today! - Caro