Welcome to Gaia! ::

*watches how a United States flag is hoisted up the pole, and is left halfway up, slowly waving in the wind, while he stands at the place, known worldwide as the Ground Zero. With his right hand opened and straight he raises it just above the corner of his right eye, paying his respect to the thousands of departed ones on the faithful day, while hearing how "Taps" plays in the background*

I stand with the thousands who have joined in arms in the military to protect others. Not only that, but my husband is also in the military, and currently fighting in Afghanistan. I keep those who were lost in mind, but I also hold those who are overseas right now in arms in my thoughts to. Though we have lost many, we still have many who are alive and fighting right now as well.

I remember that day.

My aunt lives in New York. She saw it happen outside her window.

I was on my way to school. My mom was driving me. All of a sudden, I had a panic attack, and kept saying, "Something's wrong!" over and over again. My mom asked me if I wanted to go home. I said yes. I took the herbal pill (it has flowers and such in it) that I use to help me calm down, and went to bed. Right when I calmed down, the planes hit. When I woke up and my mom told me what happened, I immediately started to cry, as if I felt the pain of the people involved.

I was so relieved to hear that my aunt, so close to where it happened, was okay. I didn't even think about that when I was crying...it was more like an automatic reaction that I couldn't explain. I didn't know anyone involved, yet I bawled like a baby.

I thank God that I was not at school that day. I don't think I could have handled it there.

My best friend, who is like an adopted brother, is in the Air Force. He isn't allowed to fight, but I am always afraid that he will be stationed in the Middle East. Right now, he's in Germany, thank God.

Though I never supported the war, because I hate war, I do believe in honoring those who died for our country and fighting for the eradication of terrorism, and all those innocent victims of the attack. May their souls rest in peace in Heaven.

I'm so sorry. sad That is terrible news to hear.

A guy I had a crush on, a Young Life leader (he was in college and I in high school then--too old for me), went off to fight in the war. Every time I see an article in the paper about a local soldier dying, I pray I don't see his name. He was such a nice young man, and I looked up to him. I don't know what happened to him, but I pray that he is still alive.