More Visitors Thoughts

If I Knew . . .
If I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your day, well
I'm sure you'll have so many more so I can let just this one slip away. For
surely there's always tomorrow to make up for an oversight, and we always
get a second chance to make everything right. There will always be another
day to say our," I love yous," And certainly there's another chance to say
our. "Anything I can do's." But just in case I might be wrong, and today is
all I get, I'd like to say how much I love you and I hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, young or old alike, And today may be the
last chance you get to hold your loved one tight. So if you're waiting for
tomorrow, why not do it today? For if tomorrow never comes, you'll surely
regret the day, That you didn't take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or
a kiss and you were too busy to grant someone, what
turned out to be their one last wish. So always hold them dear.
Take time to say I'm sorry, Please forgive me, Thank you, or It's okay.
And if tomorrow never comes, you'll have no regrets about today.

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Dear Family and Friends, I had a very dear friend question my faith in God right after the terrorist attack on America. Her question was simply put: "Where is your God today?" She was very hurt, as all Americans were, so I tried not to react defensively. Since that moment I have prayed and grieved over the disastrous events. However, I believe I have the answer. I know where my God was the morning of September 11, 2001! He was very busy. First of all, he was trying to discourage anyone from taking this flight. Those four flights together could have held more than 1000 passengers, but there were only 266 aboard. He was on four commercial flights giving terrified passengers the ability to stay calm. Not one of the family members who was called by a loved one on one of the hijacked planes said that passengers were screaming in the background. On one of the flights, he was giving strength to passengers to try to overtake the hijackers. He was busy trying to create obstacles for employees at the World Trade Center. After all, only around 20,000 were at the towers when the first jet hit. Since the buildings hold more than 50,000 workers, this was a miracle in itself. How many of the people who were employed at the WTC told the media that they were late for work or they had traffic delays? He was holding up two 110-story buildings so that 2/3 of the workers could get out. I was so amazed that the top of the towers didn't topple when the jets impacted. Although this is without a doubt the worst thing I have seen in my life, I can see God's miracles in every bit of it. I keep thinking about my friend and praying for her every chance I have. I can't imagine going through such a difficult time and not believing in God. Life would be hopeless.

Dear Dad,
Well, we are still out at sea, with full direction as to what our next priority is.
The remainder of our port visits, which were to be centered around
a goodwill tour to ------ -----, have all but been cancelled.
We have spent every day since the attacks going back and forth
within imaginary areas drawn in the ocean, sharpening, strengthening,
standing high-security watches, and trying to make the best of our time.
We have seen the articles and the photographs, and they are sickening.
Being isolated as we are, I don't think we appreciate the full scope
of what is happening back home, but we are definitely feeling the effects.
About two hours ago the junior officers were called to the bridge to conduct
Shiphandling drills. We were about to do a man overboard when we got a call
from the --------, a ------ warship that was moored ahead of us on the
pier in ------- -------. While in port, the USS -------- and the -------- crews
got together for a sports day/cookout on our fantail,
and we made some pretty good friends. Now at sea they called over
on bridge-to-bridge, requesting to pass us close up on our port side, to say
goodbye. We prepared to render them honors on the bridgewing, and the
Captain told the crew to come topside to wish them farewell.
As they were making their approach, our Conning Officer announced through
her binoculars that they were flying an American flag. As they came even
closer, we saw that it was flying at half-mast.
The bridgewing was crowded with people as the Boatswain's Mate blew two
whistles- Attention to Port-, the ship came up alongside, and we saw that the
entire crew of the ------- ship were manning the rails, in their dress blues.
They had made up a sign that was displayed on the side that read
" We Stand By You ".
Needless to say there was not a dry eye on the bridge as they stayed
alongside us for a few minutes and we cut our salutes. It was probably the
most powerful thing I have seen in my entire life
and more than a few of us fought to retain our composure.
It was a beautiful day outside today.
We are no longer at liberty to divulge over unsecure e-mail our location,
but we could not have asked for a finer day at sea.
The crew of the ------- did an incredible thing for this crew, and it has truly
been the highest point in the days since the attacks. It's amazing to
think that only a half-century ago things were quite different, and to see
the unity that is being demonstrated throughout the world makes
us all feel proud to be out here doing our job. After their ship pulled away
and we prepared to begin our man overboard drills the Officer of the Deck
turned to me and said, "I'm staying Navy."
I'll write you when I know more about when I'll be home,
but for now, this is the best news that I can send you.
Regards,
your son

An amazing true miracle
Among the debris from Tower One that had crashed onto the floor
of the atrium of Building 6, a laborer said he saw steel beams strewn about
in the shape of crosses that reminded him of depictions
showing Jesus Christ and two thieves being crucified on Calvary.
Among those to whom he showed this cross was Father Brian Jordan,
a priest at St. Francis of Assisi parish in Midtown,
who was offering communion to workers at the site.
Father Jordan persuaded city authorities to pull the largest cross
from the wreckage intact and save it as a memorial.
The cross will be removed from its resting place
among the wreckage in a special ceremony.

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