Eleven years ago I was driving to early morning seminary. The radio's music was abruptly interrupted as a radio DJ delivered the horrific news that a plane had a crashed into one of the Twin Towers. I still remember thinking, "Why would a prop plane fly into a building?" Little did I know what had actually happened.
Over the next few days school assignments were replaced with students sitting dutifully in their desks watching the news and born out of this devastating event were a series of discussions entrenched in the weary realization that our country would no longer be the same. The events that followed were an affirmation of how sheltered our lives really were in rural north-central Montana. With no real connection to the attacks all we could do was watch the television, listen to the reports, and pray for the survivors and victims.
Mayor Rudy Giuliani said it best,
"The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit.
Instead we have emerged stronger and more unified.
We feel renewed devotion to the principles of political, economic and
religious freedom, the rule of law and respect for human life.
We are more determined than ever to live our lives in freedom."
Today, I pray for all those families affected by 9/11. I hope that they may still find comfort and solace. Today, I think of them.