Anyone planning any special remembrances for 9/11?

 

So far, mine has consisted of ducking incoming mortar rounds.  There is a 5k planned for this weekend.  Hope y'all have something meaningful planned.

You joke, but I'd say dodging enemy fire in our volunteer armed forces is honoring the people lost that day better than all the ribbons and cheesy facebook posts put together. Thanks for your service!

Thank you for your service Susan Rachel!!!

The Brooklyn 9/11 Memorial is a few blocks from me, and it has a great view of the Freedom Tower and memorial lights. Will probably go leave flowers there.

I'm teaching a class this semester called: "From Alexander to Osama: A History of War."  We trace the history of Western warfare from the incipient development of the infantry among the Ancient Greeks through the War on Terror.  We finish the class by asking whether the Western style of warfare with its reliance on well financed, professional militaries will continue to dominate the geo-political landscape for the foreseeable future or whether it has become an anachronism against a foe that is asynchronous and non-hierarchical.  Tomorrow is one of our regularly scheduled meetings.

That is one seriously ambitious topic for one semester. Any course called "History of War" could as easily be called just "History".

And the whole world will be anxious to learn what you decide is the answer to that question....

On Wednesday 9/11 I will attend for the 12th annual memorial at the Official Pennsylvania Memorial dedicated to those who perished.  This wonderful place is less than 2 miles from my house and I run through it at least 2 times per week.  We will be at the candlelight vigil with nearly a 1,000 others from the area to reflect.  Ran the Garden 5k this past Sunday as part of their annual fundraiser.

"After Darkness ... Light"

http://www.9-11memorialgarden.org/index.asp

P.  42 Small Luminaries: Along the spiral path encircling the heart of the Memorial are small luminaries symbolizing the 42 children from Pennsylvania who lost a parent that day and who in the midst of our sorrow light up our lives and are a source of hope.

K.  Circle of Reflection: As you approach the heart of the Memorial you pass the Interpretative plaque identifying the seventeen Victims. Seventeen Bucks County Victims’ Names are etched on hand cast glass panels overlooking a circular pool of water.

.  Reflections: Twin Fountains in the pool rise to the heavens symbolizing the spirits of those lost.  The two square voids at the center of the pool represent the lost World Trade Center towers.  The base of the pool is constructed with reflective quartzite stone.

I'm running 9.11 miles.  I've done it every year since I started runinng.  It's not a race, it's just me, and I use it as time to reflect on what happened that day, think the the present, and think about the past.  It's nothing big, but it's just a think I do.

Thank you for your service, Susan Rachel. I haven't kept up with your deployments as well as I should have, but I pray you come home safely.

For me today, just silent prayer and reflection on the tragedy of 12 years ago that in many ways still continues today. If my body allows, I may go for a walk.  My kids have a unit on 9/11 in school, so I'm sure they'll both come home full of questions I hope I can answer. Oldest is 9, youngest is 6.

Just a prayer. Of hope, and of thanks for those like you, SR, who are still giving of yourself in the crazy aftermath of that day.