But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31 NIV
But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! Lamentations 3:21-23 The Message
What I saw after 911 was an amazing outpouring of compassion and generosity. Courage and fellowship, honor and integrity came from everywhere. Our ongoing 911 commemoration can be to live each day with a sense of pride in serving others and finding hope in the midst of great tragedy. The greatness of who we are was tested and I believe we met the challenge. Ordinary men and women did extraordinary acts of bravery. What I heard over and over again from “I was just doing my job.”
Tragic events can bring out the best in us. 911 certainly was a tragic event but our response was truly amazing. We’ve learned so much since then about overcoming adversity and what it means to belong to a resilient community. I’ve included a number of videos that can help you remember some of the best and brightest moments. The History Channel has multiple videos you may want to watch. The Remembrance Rescue Project is an educational tool you may want to learn from and share with friends and family. It is designed to teach new generations about the event.
Sunday is September 11. We hope to reinvigorate our collective memory of how everyday Americans stepped up to respond in life giving ways. What we choose to remember and how we choose to tell the story reveals much about us. Join us as we remember at all Wheatland services.
1. Tom Hanks narrates a video about the greatest water evacuation in history from Lower Manhattan. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDOrzF7B2Kg
2. History Channel commemorates the hope, compassion and generosity experienced in our greatest hour of need. http://www.history.com/topics/9-11-attacks/videos/after-911-fifteen-septembers-later?m=528e394da93ae&s=undefined&f=1&free=false
3. Remembrance Rescue Project helps us educate new generations about 911 and why we remember those who lost their lives serving others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlkeRLCGoL4