An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
I Remember!
On 11 September 2001, I was coming down the stairs, having just woken up, when the Mr looked up at me and said “A plane flew into the World Trade Center.” Honestly, I thought he was kidding at first, although, for the life of me, I can’t imagine why he would. I’m not a morning person, so I don’t think it sank in he was serious for a few seconds. I sat down in my comfy chair and didn’t move from that spot for the rest of the day.
Shortly after I sat down (more like my knees gave way), I saw the second plane crash into the South Tower. I, as with the rest of the world, was dumbfounded.
I kept thinking, this can’t be real! No way! Why would anyone fly a plane into a building? Intentionally! Well, I guess we found out later the ‘why’. And who. It wasn’t a blonde haired, blue eyed Southern Baptist, was it.
I watched as the first building collapsed. A short time later, I watched the second building come down. I, as many others that day, sat glued to the television, torn between tears and shocked disbelief. I spent, what I think was a couple of hours on the phone with my daughter, Brat, who was confused and angry. We cried together. Many people cried that day.
Some did not.
I still cry. Do you? Do you remember what you were doing when you heard the news? Why have so many forgotten? Why do some say to “get over it“? Get over it???? I don’t think so! Not this year. Not next year! Not 10 years from now. Not till the day I die!
Every year, since I’ve been blogging, I have honored a young man named Martin. This is a copy and paste from 9/11/09.
9/11/01 – Martin Morales Zempoaltecatl
I had never heard this name. There are others that you recognized after hearing them on the news time and time again. People like Todd Beemer, Barbara Olsen, Chick Burlingame. But has anyone ever heard the name Martin Morales Zempoaltecatl? Truth be told, I can’t even pronounce it. I decided to start my search for this young man on Google. It made sense. I typed in the long name, and came up with over 700 hits, the majority were sites listing the names of those who parished on 11 September 2001. They’re long lists. But nothing told me about the person Martin had been. He was 22 years old. Too young to die. He worked as an assistant chef in the Windows of the World. This is all the information I could find. I wanted to know more. Was he married? Did he have children who will never see their daddy again? Where did he come from, what place did he call home, and will never be able to return? I know he lived in Queens. But where in Queens? What were his dreams that will never be fulfilled? I received this picture from the 2996 group, but hadn’t really had a chance to actually look at this young man. The first thing I noticed, as I usually do, are his eyes. He has kind eyes. Was he a kind person? He must have been, he supported his parents. Then I saw a sweet, cheerful smile, and I knew he was a good person. For some reason, I see him liking children, nieces, nephews, the neighborhood kids.
Doing a little more digging, I found out Martin was born in Santa Catarina, Tlaxcala, Mexico. He supported his parents, Crescencio Morales, 60, and Mauricia Zempoaltecatl, also 60. Martin was the youngest of their children, and this tragedy hit them quite hard. They have since returned to Mexico. One thing I did discover, as of that article, the family had not received any of the thousands of dollars that had been given so generously by the American people. I hope that has now been resolved. I’d like to find out if the family is now able to care for their other children and grandchildren. This young man evidently wasn’t counted among the slaughtered innocents originally.
This year, I did some more checking, and a little more information about this young man was available. It turns out Martin was not just an employee at the Windows on the World. He was an assistant chef. I’d like to believe he was a really good chef. His niece, Cynthia, sure seemed to believe so:
Martin Morales, my uncle only being 22 years old. He was working in the World Trade center. He was a great chef and a loving uncle. Being the youngest uncle, we were very close to him. Even though we didn’t find his body, his smile will always be in our hearts. We miss him very much!
I pray Martin’s family has found peace, and will tell the new members of their family about this young man. I pray he will never be forgotten. I know he’ll be residing in my heart.
Nine years later, I have not forgotten! Nor, will I EVER forget!
i remember
I was like you, at home, watching Fox, I saw everything as it happened. I couldn’t move. I just stood there with my eyes glued to the TV. My hubby came downstairs after the first plane hit, I told him what was happening. He was like me, speechless. What could we say, just stand there and watch it happen.
(On another note, thanks for pointing out the obvious. I woke up this morning with “11″ on the brain and had not had my cup of tea yet. I’ve changed my completely idiotic goof. Much appreciated. Some days I should just stay away from the computer. September 11 is one of those days. As I told readers in another post, my father died three days before the September 11, 2001 attacks. This year my aunt died on the same day. September 11 is a bad date for me in so many ways. Thanks for keeping me on track.)
Like it was yesterday.
– dan
I’ll remember this too:
Can a Muslim be A good
American?
This question was forwarded to a friend who worked
in Saudi Arabia for 20 years. The following is his
reply:
Theologically – no. . . . Because his allegiance is to Allah, The moon God of Arabia .
Religiously – no. . . Because no other religion is accepted by His Allah Except Islam (Quran, 2:256)(Koran)
Scripturally – no. . . Because his allegiance is to the five Pillars of
Islam and the Quran.
Geographically – no . Because his allegiance is to Mecca ,
to which he turns in prayer five times a day.
Socially – no. . . Because his allegiance to Islam forbids him to
make Friends with Christians or Jews.
Politically – no. . . Because he must submit to the mullahs (spiritual
Leaders), who teach annihilation of Israel and
destruction of America , The great Satan.
Domestically – no. Because he is instructed to marry four Women and beat and scourge his wife when she disobeys him (Quran
4:34)
Intellectually – no. because he cannot accept the American Constitution since it is based on Biblical principles and he
believes the Bible to be corrupt.
Philosophically – no. because Islam, Muhammad, and the Quran does not allow freedom of religion and expression. Democracy and
Islam cannot Co-exist. Every Muslim government is either
dictatorial or autocratic.
Spiritually – no. because when we declare ‘one nation under
God,’ The Christian’s God is loving and kind, while
Allah is NEVER referred to As Heavenly father, nor is he
ever called love in the Quran’s 99 Excellent names.
Therefore, after much study and deliberation…. Perhaps we should be very suspicious of ALL MUSLIMS in this country. – - – They
obviously cannot be both ‘good’ Muslims and good
Americans. Call it what you wish it’s still the truth. You had better believe it. The more who understand this, the better it will be for our country and our future.
The religious war is bigger than we know or understand.
….
Footnote:
The Muslims have said they will destroy us from within. SO
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.
Dear God! I remember it like it was yesterday, I was at the doctors office and was standing at the reception desk waiting for my paperwork.
It was then – one of the receptionist’s spoke of it. The hubby was waiting for me outside in the car. He had already heard the news of it on the car radio. We rushed straight home and turned on the TV.
We sat in front of the TV the rest of the day. We were absolutely stunned, and totally numb. But worse than the numbness was the extreme ANGER!!!
How could a country with (supposedly) such extremely good ‘intelligence’ information let this happen????
The ANGER has NEVER abated or gone away. As far as I am concerned it never will just go away.
I WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER!!
What a wonder memorial for Martin. I hope his family also searches for his name and find this.
I remember exactly what I was doing. Hubby was away on a business trip. I had 4 carpenters in my house doing some work for us. We stood in front of the TV with me crying and unable to control myself in front of these 4 strangers. I will never forget.