…..a “new era of American leadership” that has made the U.S. “safer and stronger and more respected in the world.”  “Because we’re leading around the world, people have a new attitude toward America”  – President Barack Obama 2012

Good overall sites to follow:    Reuters Live Blog HERE, and Reuters Feed HERE

@ 6:00pm EST

AFGHANISTAN – Taliban attack kills at least two U.S. Marines in Afghanistan  – At least two U.S. Marines were killed during what was described as a complex Taliban attack on base in southern Afghanistan, U.S. officials told Reuters on Friday, speaking on condition of anonymity.  The incident at Camp Bastion in southern Helmand province also left others wounded, the officials said, without offering further details, including on the nationalities of the wounded.  (more details)

White House Continues The “Movie” ploy – Google rejects White House request to pull Mohammad film clip – Google Inc rejected a request by the White House on Friday to reconsider its decision to keep online a controversial YouTube movie clip that has ignited anti-American protests in the Middle East.  The Internet company said it was censoring the video in India and Indonesia after blocking it on Wednesday in Egypt and Libya, where U.S. embassies have been stormed by protestors enraged over depiction of the Prophet Mohammad as a fraud and philanderer.  (details)

@ 3:15 EST (more…)

The following video incorporates an audio recording that was made by a Detroit radio station, WOMC FM, in October 2001. It contains excerpts from two speeches – President Bush’s oval office speech the evening of September 11, 2001, and the one he gave before the joint session of Congress on September 20. The music is taken from a composition by James Horner for the 1989 movie, Glory. I believe the selections used are A Call To Arms, and An Epitaph To War.

I have always loved the audio, as it touched my heart and uplifted at a time when we all needed it very much. The photos are ones that I collected after Sept 11, 2001.

Written by Mitch Albom, and published in the Detroit News/Detroit Free Press, September 23, 2001.

That our flag was still there through the gloom and despair, hanging on porches, flapping in schoolyards, painted on cheeks of young mothers whose husbands are leaving to face the rockets’ red glare, bombs bursting in air and our flag is still there.

(more…)

We have all heard that heroes come in all shapes and sizes; sometimes the most unassuming person rises to the occasion and meets the challenge. And sometimes it is a very special type of animal, a rescue dog. In the aftermath of 9/11 bombings, the world’s largest deployment of rescue dogs were used to search for survivors, working tirelessly with their handlers, searching  the ruins, and according to witnesses, giving great comfort to the workers. Dutch photographer Charlotte Dumas has published a book called Retrieved, featuring the surviving dogs in their final years. Read more and check out the pictures of these wonderful dogs here in this Daily Mail article. (more…)

On this eleventh anniversary of September 11, 2001, We The People of the USA thank you sincerely,  O Canada,  for your kindness and support of our brothers and sisters in their time of dire need.  From Whitehorse to Gander, your graciousness will never be forgotten.

GANDER, N.L. – Gander International Airport in Newfoundland was once a cosmopolitan crossroads where transatlantic flights carrying everyone from world leaders to Humphrey Bogart touched down to refuel.

Its modernist lounge with geometric flooring and sleek furniture is a trip back to 1959, when the Queen opened it as an avant-garde ode to the glamour of air travel.

But Gander’s global prominence faded when jumbo jets started criss-crossing the Atlantic non-stop. Traffic at the sprawling airfield — a former Second World War staging point — dwindled to cargo planes, military flights, emergency landings and the odd private jet.

Then 9-11 hit. (more…)

Eleven years ago today, Islamists murdered 246 people on the four planes (from which there were no survivors).  2,606 were murdered in New York City in the World Trade Center and on the ground, and 125 were murdered at the Pentagon. About 292 people were killed at street level by burning debris and the falling bodies of those who had jumped from the World Trade Center’s windows. All the deaths in the attacks were civilians except for 55 military personnel killed at the Pentagon.  372 of those murdered were foreign nationals.  The 19 dead murderers are not included in any of these counts. (Adapted from Wikipedia)

In his 1984 book, The Haj, Leon Uris explains the heritage of such murderers.  The setting is Tabah, 1937,  when the British have sent a liaison officer  to support Gideon Asch who is a first generation Jewish emigrant from Romania.  He has become an effective fighter for the Shomer,  protectors of the settlements in the Galilee.  The officer, Wingate, says to Gideon: (more…)

Caught this picture over at BigFurHat.Com of Dubya dancing with a wounded warrior.

Since leaving office George W Bush has maintained a low profile, but I’ve got to give him a lot of credit because despite that low profile he has done a tremendous amount of good work for returning servicemen and women.

Both George and Laura Bush truly hold a servant’s heart and their actions speak volumes toward their character and genuine care for wounded warriors.   Most of what they do flies intentionally under the media radar.  That is the way they want it; and boy howdy does it make a difference in the lives of those they serve: (more…)

The following video incorporates an audio recording that was made by a Detroit radio station, WOMC FM,  in October 2001.  It contains excerpts from two speeches – President Bush’s oval office speech the evening of September 11, 2001, and the one he gave before the joint session of Congress on September 20.  The music is taken from a composition by James Horner for the 1989 movie, Glory.  I believe the selections used are A Call To Arms, and An Epitaph To War.
I have always loved the audio, as it touched my heart and uplifted at a time when we all needed it very much.  The photos are ones that I collected after Sept 11, 2001.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. †

On this day of remembrance, we would especially like to hear about your personal experiences on September 11, 2001 and the days following; where were you, what do you remember, and how did the events of 9/11 affect your life.
My story is unremarkable, really. Just that of an average American. On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, I was at my desk (in Michigan) when my boss ran into the room to tell us that the World Trade Center had been hit by an airplane.  I tried to access Fox News on the internet to find out what was going on, but the internet was slow as everyone else in my office, and probably the country, had the same idea.  I found out what I could, and turned on the radio too, which was a better source of news that day.  It wasn’t long before we learned that a second plane hit the other tower, and yet another had hit the Pentagon. (more…)

Painful yes.  Painful but neccessary.  Many condemn running these images.  I don’t.  The death murder of these good people should never be forgotten, brushed under the rug, nor whitewashed.    Cherish.  Feel.   Remember.   Honor.