But I don't know gone without goodbye....

**Remembering 9/11**

I know I have not written in a few weeks but I thought today needed an entry.  Everyone knows that today marks the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Towers and the Pentagon, so I thought it appropriate it write in remembrance of all the lives that were lost on this tragic day 10 years ago.

I believe that almost everyone who is old enough to comprehend what was happening on that day remembers where they were and what they were doing when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center's North Tower at 8:46am on September 11, 2001.  I was in my senior year at Hobart High School and in first period, Music (either history or appreciation or something along those lines).  We happened to be in the computer lab next to the library that day doing research for a project.  We, of course, actually missed the first plane hitting the tower because we did not find out about it until after it happened.  The computer technician came into the computer lab shortly after it happened and told the teacher, who immediately turned on the TV.  Needless to say, not much work got done after that.  I just could not believe what was happening.  Who would do such a thing?  How many people were going to lose their lives because of this?  How will it affect people across the United States and the world.  My mind was going a million miles a minutes and I am sure I was not the only one that was confused about what was happening and why it was happening.

I found this video on YouTube that I had never seen before.  It is actual footage of Flight 11 hitting the North Tower.  I don't appreciate some of the comments that go with the video but it appears to be one of the only videos that shows the plane hitting the building.  All others that I have found just show the smoke and fire after the building has been hit.  The plane actually hits at about minute 1:28.

Video from ALexM615 on YouTube

By the time the bell rang for second period (we had 90 minute class periods), every teacher at Hobart High School had their TVs on.  For once in their school careers, students rushed to go from one class to the other, for fear of missing any of the news coverage.  The South Tower was hit at 9:03 by United Airlines Flight 175, just after second period started.  My feelings changed once again when I realized that it was not a reshowing of Flight 11 crashing into the North Tower, but of another attack on the South Tower.  This footage is a compilation of many of the new channels footage of Flight 175 hitting the South Tower.

Video from aaroman01 on YouTube

At that point, I wondered what else could be happen that day.  Could it possibly get worse?  The answer - YES.  At 9:37am, American Airlines Flight 77 flew into the Pentagon.  As I was searching for video coverage of this, it was amazing at how many people believe that it was not a plane that flew into the Pentagon, but a missile instead.  Not sure why people are so bent out of shape on conspiracy theories of 9/11.  People lost their lives.  If you believe that 9/11 was an "inside job" then you can believe that but don't try to change my opinion that this was truly a terrorist attack on our nation.

Video from dave46563 on YouTube

At 9:59am, things got worse.  After burning for 56 minutes, the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed.

Video from Xenomorph911WTC on YouTube

At 10:03am, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into a field in Shanksville, PA.  It is believed that the intended target of this plane was either the Capitol Building or The White House.  However, the passengers of Flight 93 fought the hijakers and after the terrorists believed that the passengers might regain control of the plane, they intentionally crashed it.  

Video from  CBS on YouTube

The North Tower of the World Trade Center would then collapse at 10:28, after burning for 102 minutes.

Video from environmentalist21 on YouTube

Debris from the North Tower collapse fell onto the nearby 7 World Trade Center Building.  This damaged it and started fires.  The fires burned for several hours and compromised the building's structural integrity.  The 7 WTC building collapsed at 5:21pm.  

Video from Xenomorph911WTC on YouTube

It was just such as sad day and other events seemed to be a blur.  Everyone's eyes were glued to the TV set the entire day and a sense of patriotism spread throughout the United States.  There were a total of 2,996 casualties resulting from the multiple attacks.  This number includes the 19 hijakers, 246 passengers from all four planes (no survivors), 2,606 in New York in the towers and on the ground, and 125 at the Pentagon.  Over 90% of the deaths in the Towers were workers and visitors who had been at or above the point of impact.  At least 200 people fell or jumped to their deaths from the burning towers. 411 of the deaths were emergency workers who responded to the scene, trying to rescue people and fight fires.  The city has only able to identify remains for 1,631 of the World Trade Center victims.  It was estimated that about 17,400 civilians were in the World Trade Center complex at the time of the attacks so most people did make it out alive.  However, over 3,000 children lost a parent in the attack and many health issues have resulted from the toxic debris resulting from the collapse of the towers.  Because of these attacks, the War in Afghanistan and Operation Enduring Freedom began on October 7, 2001 and have lead to thousands of injuries and deaths among the troops who have fought to protect the freedoms we have as Americans.

So on this day, I would like to remember those victims of 9/11, as well as all of those Fallen Heroes of Operation Enduring Freedom and any soldier that have lost their lives in the battles since then.  All of the family and friends of all of these people are also in my prayers.

So, some of you may be saying..."Finally, something not related to BSB."  Think again.  I think you will find I can relate almost anything to them and this is no different.  Most people are surprised to find out that Brian Littrell's wife, Leighanne was supposed to be on Flight 11, the first plane that crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.  The Boys had been in Boston for a show during their Black and Blue Tour and Leighanne was supposed to be flying back to the West Coast for a dental appointment.  On September 10, she told Brian that she just had a bad feeling and should not get onto that plane.  She stayed with Brian and was spared her life.  I believe God spoke to her and being a devout Christian, she listened.  The Backstreet Boys did lose a stage crew member, Daniel Lee, who was flying back home to the West Coast because his wife was having her second baby.  Here is a video I found of Brian talking about Leighanne's fate on that tragic day:

Video from BriansBabyDuck on YouTube

The bad thing is that I did not even know that Leighanne was supposed to be on that place until I saw Brian during his Welcome Home Tour in Toronto in 2006.  Remember that these events took place in 2001, the time when I decided to let the Backstreet Boys go from my life for a brief amount of time (read about it here).  When Brian talked about it during his Toronto show, my heart just sank.  I had become more open to the idea of God and Christianity when I purchased his Welcome Home album and had seen him in Grand Rapids.  This news edged me even closer to becoming a believer.  Only God could give someone feelings that deep down to save them from tragedy.  Here is a video of Brian talking about it and his song "Gone Without Goodbye," which discusses the tragedy in the first verse.

"Gone Without Goodbye"

November 4, 2006 - McVety Center - Toronto, ON

Video from michibelle on YouTube

The day is drawing to an end and I was unable to watch any of the 9/11 specials on TV.  I am sure that they did justice to the fallen.  I hope that no one ever forgets what happened on that day.  I know Brian took part in a ceremony yesterday but I am not sure where.  Here are the photos that he has on his Facebook page.

The Littrell Family - One that would not have existed if Leighanne would have  gotten on  Flight 11

There was one flag for every casualty.  I believe he is carrying this one for Daniel Lee.

So I wrap this post up with a prayer that God helps to heal the wounds caused by these attacks.  I am proud to say that I am an American and appreciate all of the freedom that I have because of those that fight for that freedom.  God Bless.