"New York City - America's Spirit" by Charles R. Packard

The day dawned bright and clear; all was hectic and normal. The cloudless, blue sky was a breathtaking backdrop for the start of another day.

This place is like no other. It is an island that separates itself from the rest of the world. It's skyline is filled with towering manifestations that symbolize its strength, wealth and materialistic power. The city is New York City, the "Big Apple" as it is affectionately or sarcastically called depending on where you call home. this majestic place never sleeps, never tires of being the "Heart-Beat" of the country and the world.

Thousands of people rushing about like ants doing what they always do; buying the early edition of one of the many city's newspapers, getting their first cup of coffee from one of the many local coffee houses, flagging down cabs, cursing and yelling, all of which is done while they charge to work to start their normal day.

New York City, so tall, grand and proud, full of life, is about to be tested in a way that no one would have imagined nor believed!

Shortly before 9:00 a.m., the busy sounds of life in the city are silenced in disbelief. Tower One is violated in what appears to be a mindless act of maniacal suicide.

Scores of people are instantly incinerated, sacrificed by a senseless act of hate. In the blink of an eye, normal active confusion becomes a scene of catastrophic chaos; the scene is indescribable. Instantly, men and women become martyrs to an unknown cause inflicted by an unseen enemy. Has Armageddon begun?

We hardly realize what is happening when a jetliner slams into Tower Two. The ensuing explosion is volcanic, spewing fire, shredding steel and shattering fortified concrete walls as well as consuming an indeterminable number of human lives......

The time was just past 9 a.m., and in a span of eighteen minutes the fires of hell had been unleashed on the World Trade Center; without warning, New York City had been savagely attacked and brought down to its knees.

Policemen, firemen and non-uniformed citizens raced to the aid of their fellow brothers and sisters while countless others just raced.

People helping other people with little regard for their own safety charged forward into an unknown destiny. As these heroes frantically search for, and aid, injured survivors the unthinkable happens.

The ground trembles accompanied by an eerie creaking , followed by a thunderous evil roar as an avalanche of horror descends earthward. Tower Two, mortally wounded from the heat of fire implodes, and slowly, crumbles within itself bringing down death and destruction to those within its walls as well as to the brave people who were attempting to save others. In a few seconds many more heroes become martyrs as their physical bodies give way to their soaring souls.

Shortly thereafter ,Tower One expires and it too falls, raining more death and destruction on the graveyard below. Many more buildings in the immediate vicinity catch fire and are also brought down. The unspeakable carnage claims its victims in less than two hours - has God forsaken us?

Families are decimated, hearts broken and bodies crushed. Who and why has this deadly plague descended upon us? Is this the end: have we reached our judgment day? Thousands clearly had.

The New York City skyline is changed forever; the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, the icons and materialistic symbols of our might and wealth are unmercifully destroyed!

September 11, 2002, which had a glorious beginning, had been violently ravaged, leaving the city, its people, the country, and even the world numb and totally shaken.

The scene of this death and destruction was beyond our comprehension. We had been physically crippled, psychologically shaken, and emotionally brought to our knees. The pain felt was like nothing we as a nation in our time had ever experienced.

The United States of America had been attacked within its borders, at the heart of its major city, by unknown evil using our own property as murder weapons against the very fabric that makes us great - our people!

Our focus turned inward. In our grief we turned to prayer for healing, forgiveness and thankfulness. Our fear became anger and a desire to ruse up and meet our enemy, whoever they might be. Soon, from out of this carnage, a faint heartbeat was felt. A force began to stir within all of us and within hours our nation's spirit and pride began to awaken.

Americans from all walks of life, races, and creeds began to band together. The Spirit of our forefathers had strengthened our resolve, the fire and desire for freedom was rekindled. Materialistic wants had been replaced by the need to give food, water and shelter to those in need. New Yorkers, as well as Americans across the country, reached out with love; the healing had begun. America had been savagely attacked and seriously wounded. We were humbled in a way never before known to us. We were disfigured and bloodied. But we were not beaten!

Yes, we the people of the United States of America will bravely fight to keep ourselves free. We are America the Beautiful!