Remembrance of September 11, 2001

[t t]

One day I asked a man for his hat -
Imagine that - it's just a hat

The hat became very special to me -
worn by teams who sacrifice unconditionally so that we may be free.

Its not just a hat - it represents honor.
A brotherhood that protects America from those who would harm her.

This honor is held by only a few
Their integrity is unparalled: It's true

On September 11, 2001 -
so many lives were lost
This brotherhood defends America -
regardless of the cost.

In your honor - and for your comittment - I humbly ask you to accept this remembrance of September 11, 2001 - as my way -
of thanking you for protecting us before, during and after that terrible day.


September 11, 2001

This painting was created so that we will never forget
September 11, 2001,
and the day and weeks that followed.

American citizens and foreign nationals lost their lives.
Families, friends and communities are still traumatized and heartbroken.

That day, and those that followed were historic moments
for the United States and the world.
Firefighters, policemen, volunteers, citizens, neighborhoods, businesses and foreign countries joined
together to help the victims.
Politicians forgot about their differences.
The President cried.
We all cried.

Most importantly,
we stood for our freedom.

http://navyseals.com/community/file/pic/gallery/thumb/3424.jpg (http://navyseals.com/community/gallery/view/id_3424/)

[rsctt83]

There are many shining lights from that day, for sure the one that I derive strength from is a man named Rick Rescorla. If you are not familar with him use Goggle and read about him. What he did on this day off is astounding, brave and selfless he saved hundreds of people. I am going to honor him on 9/11 by trying to run from Lone Pine to summit of Whitney {24 miles 10,200+ feet elevation gain}. As I go up I will think of how many times he climbed tower in the face of unthinkable horror to save others

[t t]

Rscott -

This is not meant to diminish the heroic acts of others - and I know there were many. I hope that anyone who reads this will share their memories and share with us their experiences of those people who they feel are heroes as well.

[Shar36]

Excellent tt...Thanks for sharing the painting with us!

~Shar

[t t]

Thank you Shar -

Just a little bit of my experience -

I was sitting in an office and the news came via the internet. At the time my son was 50 miles away and my family was living in the DC area. We were all sent home from work. I called my son (went and got him from school) and my family members.

My son was fourteen at the time. A week later I took my son to New York. We saw the devastation and the streets filled with memorials. Posters everywhere looking for loved ones. It still makes me cry when I talk about it.
I wanted my son to go there, because I didn't want him to look at the news and think it was a James Bond move - or I guess - to become desensitized.

When we got back I started my painting - It took four 1/2 years to finish.
The design of the airplane is my son's. I came across it in 2006 - it was doodle on a piece of his homework he had done in 2003 and I incorporated into the painting.

[1stud]

Wow! That is really amazing... you should be proud t t! What a great way to HONOR and support 9/11...Hooyah!

[Schatje]

Well done TT :) I looked at it in your gallery and didn't know what to expect. When I looked at your painting, I thought to myself that this looks like the twin towers (once again I didn't know what the painting was going to represent:D ) I thought to myself...self, this looks a lot like the twin towers. All the colors !!! It represented a day in American (and the rest of the world) lives that will never be forgotten. My eyes were entertained, my heart felt warm, the picture reminded me of all the good things that happened that day. I (like everyone else) have seen videos on youtube.com, photos, commentaries etc. Your painting is the first time I felt the goodness that also existed that day. Until now, all I felt was evil. The evil in this world was all I concentrated on until I saw your work :) The design of the plane is outstanding as well...the majority of the painting (to me) represents all the goodness in the world. When I look at the plane, it reminds me of the evil that exists in the world and the terror it inflicts. Well done TT !!! for you to invest four years of your life (heart mind and soul) and produce something that makes a fellow American remember and feel good/appreciate our fellow man/woman (in and out of uniform) is the source of energy that gives us strength to go on and remember how precious life is and how important it is to protect it...also to TOLERATE/EXCEPT other nationalities, traditions and differences in general. (I'm going to get a pair of 3-D glasses to fully appreciate this painting.) I really enjoyed looking at it.

rsctt83 - I would also like to tip my hat to you as well. I can't think of anything more difficult then running. I can imagine just how motivating your thoughts will be to help you complete the run. I never ran a marathon (not strong enough yet :o) when I can compete and have enough endurance to at least finish the run, I would love to run for a cause or in remembrance of ...not very many people care enough to give much thought to such negative occurances in life, and do something positive because of it. I hope your thoughts on that day of your run don't haunt you to much.

Once again, well done TT ^_^ !

[t t]

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Schatje