by Ray Martinez
Shortly before 8:00 a.m. American Airlines flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.
At 9:05 a.m. United Airlines flight 175 struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
At approximately 9:35 a.m. American Airlines flight 77 dive-bombed into the Pentagon
It was a cool, brisk September morning, when terror struck at our heart. The World Trade Center was demolished and the Pentagon was scarred and the lives of over 4,000 innocent people were left dead or missing.
Despite the attack, America stood strong and united as we all grieved as a nation. We as a nation all witnessed one of the most tragic events in American History. Admittedly, we as a nation were shaken, but because of our strength, and our resolve we were not knocked down. We are still standing.
Our world stopped on September 11, 2001 much like it did December 7, 1941. But America is strong, and the world ten years later may be laughing at us because of the economy and how much debt we are in today. But the world will soon find out that they will find little satisfaction when you wake a wounded, sleeping giant.
Former President George W. Bush said, “This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others. It will end in a way and at an hour of our choosing.”
Arizona Senator John McCain said, “I say to our enemies, ‘We are coming. God may show you mercy, but we will not.’”
The two worst memories I have of 9/11 was that evening, I was still living in California and was awaken at around 2 a.m. by the sound of four F-16′s patrolling Orange County, it was very eerie as I was near the flight path of planes that would come into Orange County’s John Wayne Airport.
The other was about one month after the attack, I was flying to Arizona to see the National League Championship Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves. I along with many passengers who were somewhat precautionary getting on the plane witnessed the horror of a frightened 10-year old boy who screamed in fear as his parents tried to get him on board. This poor child was filled with anxiousness as tears flowed down his face, pleading with anyone who would listen, “Please don’t put me on that plane, I don’t want to crash into a building and die.”
The flight attendants did what they could to calm him down, to no avail. They finally had to tell his parents they could not board that flight.
As a Brooklyn born, native New Yorker, it is still very difficult to go back home to the city that never sleeps and see what to me is the most majestic skyline in the world, missing the twin towers of the World Trade Center. Terrorists may have torn a hole in our skyline, and wounded our hearts, but as long as we have blood pumping and we are still breathing, we will continue to be strong.
Those two buildings represented the strength of our city. And although they are no longer there, New Yorkers are strong, they have backbone, and they know how to overcome all odds and rise to any occasion.
Ten years later, I hope and pray this young man has been able to rise to the occasion and overcome his fear of flying.
At the National Cathedral, Former President George W. Bush also rose to the occasion and found his true voice as he said, “In every generation, the world has produced enemies of human freedom. They have attacked America because we are freedom’s home and defender. And the commitment of our fathers is now the calling of our time.”
The men and women who lost their lives September 11, 2001 will never be forgotten. Ten years later we are still mourning the loss of those innocent victims.
The men and women of the armed forces who have also paid the ultimate sacrifice by dying for us to fight this war on terrorism, we also mourn their lives.
Our world as we know it today has changed dramatically since 9/11, and we continue to fight to eliminate those who despise freedom.
In the words of Lee Greenwood’s song, God Bless The U.S.A.
“I thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
’cause the flag still stands for freedom, and they can’t take that away.
And I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up, next to you and defend her still today.
‘ Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land, God bless the USA.
The United States of America. Where we are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Ray Martinez – Unbridled Inspiration
Ray Martinez of Ray Mar Productions in Goodyear, AZ is the most highly accredited individual in the mobile DJ industry.
A 30+ year veteran, Ray’s many accomplishments include:
- 2006 American Disc Jockey Hall of Fame Inductee
- 2003 National Male Entertainer of the Year
- American Disc Jockey Awards; 2001 & 2002 ADJA Southern California Entertainer of the Year
- Author, “Performance Beyond Expectation,” “Music From My Heart”
- Vice President-Board of Directors of N.A.M.E. (National Association of Mobile Entertainers)
- Executive Director, CrossMix-Christian DJ Association
- Lifetime Member-American Disc Jockey Association
- Former National Director of the ADJA
- Former Vice President of the ADJA So. California Chapter
- Ambassador and Endorsed Artist for QSC Audio.
To purchase Ray Mar’s books, visit his website. To contact him, email [email protected].
Tweet This Post
