10th Anniversary, 9/11

One of the thoughts I've had coming home this evening from the Sandy 10th anniversary commemoration was prompted by a radio program of children that had been very young ten years ago -- what did they remember, or even younger, what have they known about 9/11.  Most of the comments revolved around the children's concern that they are finally coming to know what happened on that day.  They had been so young many of their parents had shielded them from much of the events of those days.  I was interested in Karen's account just now of what their children remember having lived in NYC until kindergarten and 1st grade prior to 2001. 

My day began with the Tabernacle Choir broadcast featuring beautiful music, visuals and some interviews and commentary from Tom Brokaw.  It was an inspiring program. 

It was meaningful to peruse the facebook postings of many friends remembering 9/11 on both sides of the Atlantic.  

Attending sacrament meeting at Highland 14th Ward was meaningful.   Max and Claudia Simmons spoke prior to their departure for their 23-month Lima Peru Temple mission.  As each of them spoke I remembered their personal influence on our lives in Bozeman.  They each began with meaningful comments on the 9/11 anniversary.  Claudia's comments then focused on joy.  Our own efforts are not enough.  We need to change and we need the Atonement.  Max also then focused on joy, the small and simple acts.  "Good can come from trouble." 

They'll be leaving their new home of a year.  They had been living in Scottsdale, AZ for about ten years.  Mike lives in their stake and will look after their home while they're away.  

Mike and his oldest of four, his only daughter.

Mike works for a medical device company that develops and and manufactures heart devices.  They lived in Paris for about nine months with the company their first year.  The company  has completed clinical trials for one device and are beginning to market it in Europe.  He does PR and marketing.  Their daughter was born at St. Luke's when they lived in Boise for about four years. 

Everyone asked about each of you.  Everyone meaning:  Rex Dahl (Anna had stomach flu),  Virgil and Cheryl Spencer,  Marge Cunningham and her husband that used to sell Subaru (he said he's getting closer to becoming a Mormon, starting to meet with the elders reminding me I had promised I would come to his baptism), Mike and Dawn Wright (former FBI guy, they did security for the church in Africa for their mission and live in Eagle, ID), Kirsty formerly Wright (their daughter) about a year older than Jill with her husband and four children, youngest a set of twin boys that looked very capable of the mischief their grandparents and mother described, currently settled in their double stroller.  I enjoyed getting acquainted with some of Max' extended family over lunch.  Came home with a Danish recipe for cucumber salad (thinly sliced English cukes in a sweet vinegar brine reminiscent of our 21-day gherkins).  A great condiment I'd like to try. 

New Sandy City Hall 9/11 bronze. 

The last several years I've appreciated the meaningful commemoration of the 9/11 in Sandy.  There is a large grassy mall south of city hall on which is placed more than 3,000 flags, one for each casualty of 9/11.  

The more than 3,000 American flags.

This year the flags were organized by airplane flight #, then the Pentagon and then the Trade Center Towers. 

Each flag pole was tagged with a brief description of a person who had been killed.

At first I stopped and read a tag for each row and then every second row and finally every third row.  3,000 people is huge.  It seemed most were in their 30's.  There was one investment company whose name appeared frequently as an employer.  It was startling and meaningfully sobering. 

This program honored Utah public service emergency personnel who had died the past decade and Utah military personnel who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  As each name was read the tower bell tolled and the military posted a Utah state flag in their honor.  Another sobering hour concluded with bugle and cannon firing.

It has truly been a day of remembering.