I know it is still the tenth in the US as I write, but here it is 9.40am Septemeber 11. We in Australia are grieving alongside the US today and pray that this kind of terrible tragedy will never happen again.

Today the people of Australia were encouraged to remember this sad day by turning on headlights at 8.47am, for which there was an overwhelming response. We were only asked to do it for ten minutes, but I suspect they will be on all day. The theme is Shine On, hence the headlights.

Our schools were encouraged to turn on every light at the same time. At our school there was a special assembly this morning.

Our firemen took their trucks out at that time, and lowered fire station flags to half mast in remembrance of lost US colleagues.

At Surfer's Paradise, thousands of people made a human US flag on the beach. Our radio stations are commemorating the day with appropriate songs for the occassion and many repeats of the news broadcasts from last year. Our tv stations are televising reports and special programs.

Today on the radio I heard that 1300 children lost a parent that day. And that there were many babies born after the event that did not ever meet their fathers. It makes our problems here seem very small, I think. There are many children represented here at MB by their grieving parents, but they have not 'forever' lost their parent, like those children orphaned on September 11 last year. They may not see that parent as often as they would like, but at least there is the opportunity to still have a relationship. That is something those 1300 children will never have.

It makes me sad that the WS's out there who choose not to interact with their kids do not see this. It makes me sad that they CHOSE to walk out on their families, when so many are grieving today for the fact that there was NO choice. It is just so hard to understand.

Thanks Nina...

All the love and compassion shown because of that horrific event has truely helped with the healing here.

It will be a tough day here tomorrow. We have lots school, community and state and national events to remember those who were lost. Unbelievable that someone could value life so little. Thank you for your post. Pat

Jacky, what a beautiful post. Thanks to all you Aussies for remembering.

Truthfully I am glad I will be in a meeting all day tomorrow so I won't watch the all day coverage. I always think those who died deserve to have their stories read but I have all ready over loaded.

Nina,
Thank you for your support of the tragedy last year. My husband travels to New York city weekly and I was very concerned for his safty after 9-11.
We Americans have usually enjoyed the feeling of security. That will no longer exist even with maximum security at airports etc..
There have been some blessings from the events of that day. The U.S.A. is a very wealthy country and I feel that many people here have shifted their priorities from money to God and family.The country has become more patriotic and values the freedom we had learned to take for granted.
America was founded under God, but I am ashamed to say that many of us here in the States had turned from God and become sexually immoral, materialistic, selfish and greedy.
Over the past decade, I have been noticing that the wealthy are becoming wealthier, while the poor are getting poorer. The middle-class is somewhat disappearing. Anyone else noticing this??

Nina too,

Thank you for your support! It is very much appreciated. I live in Alabama but this terrible tragedy hit close enough to my family. My uncle was supposed to be at the Pentagon that morning but his little boy was very sick and he stayed home with him that day. Also, both of my brothers are now involved directly (one is in the Air Force and the other is in the Marines). Every day my family and I hear their voices we thank God for their safety.

This is a hard day but we will all get through it. Prayer has been such a strength for my family and I.

God Bless,
Kathy

Nina,

How considerate of you to take the time to think of those who are hurting on this day!

Thank You Aussies!

B.W.

Nina Too - thank you and everyone else worldwide who stopped to pay your respects and honour our great loss. May God bless you all!
Although I don't personally know anyone who lost a loved one on 9-11, I do know it hurt me to see it - one because I was in New York and saw the Twin Towers just before they were opened to the public - I liked them from the first time I saw them - I just thought they were so neat!
I went to war to fight the same mindless MORONS who blew up our Towers - in '91 with Saddam Hussein's 'Republican Guard'. Well, they wouldn't let us finish our job, so now - 11 years later - they're starting "Operation Desert Storm II" - and I now have a son who joined the Marines and will probably wind up in Iraq like me. Sure, he has nothing to do with me - thanks to his vindictive Mother, however, that doesn't keep me from loving him and praying for all of them anyway.
I only can say IMHO that I do thank everyone who remembered 9-11 and those who pray for all Armed Forces in the "War On Terror" - whatever nationality they happen to be.
Peace to all, and may you find Healing.
Harold