The Lesson of 9/11 on the Ninth Anniversary

WOW!!!This is probably one of the best written articles that I have ever read. I am a New Yorker and thank God that I lost no one. But as a person living in America, 9/11 should affect everyone. And James Grady could not have written a better article. Perfect! God Bless those who lost their lives on 9/11.

On September 11, 2001, I was at work at 51 N Street NE. When we realized what had happened, I went onto the roof of the building and could see the smoke from the Pentagon. I tried to call my friend Bill Ruth, who was on active duty at the Pentagon, and he did not answer. I later discovered that Chief Warrant Officer William R. Ruth was among those murdered that day. Bill had retired from Montgomery County Public Schools after many years of teaching. I think he had 27 years of service to the students of Montgomery County. Bill was a good man, a father, brother and son. He was a veteran of Vietnam, and the Gulf War, and it is too bad that the Montgomery County School system wilfully refuses to honor him. They simply pretend that he never existed. But for what it is worth, I will never forget him.

We must make SECURITY a top priority, including stricter immigration laws, and enforcement of our immigration laws, period.

IF MUSLINS FELT TERRIOST WAS WRONG MORE WOULD HELP FIGHT THEM

My question is: Why do so many American Muslims remain silent when there are attacks by Muslim fanatics throughout the world? I don't recall ever hearing an Imam condeming the many attacks against civilians--I just keep hearing them rant about their rights being violated in America. Have they ever condemned Hamas, the Taliban or Al Quida for the atrocities? It appears they are perfectly comfortable with the stonings, disfigurement of their people, the plight of women in their home country. It seems that Muslims here would have an impact in supporting America and denouncing what is going on in the Middle East.

Our Country was founded on the right to worship, BUT... I believe that we need to put a FREEZE on immigration - for at least 10 years! PERIOD!!! ... We need to pause and hold on all people comming into our country to live and work... AMERICAN CITIZEN have suffered too much job loss, wage decreases, and foreclosures. All because too many people comming from too many countries have taken jobs for lower wages and created inflated housing prices!!!

I have lived and worked in many countries during my 70 yrs of life, 6 of those years were spent in Iran, before during and after the Revolution. I understand Farsi and I made a point of learning as much as I could about the culture of the various groups of people who I lived among. I can tell you that during my time living there, I found the Iranian people to be the most hospitable and friendly people I ever lived with during my life, I have made visits back to Iran as recently as 6 months ago and my views have not changed because the people are still the same. Their is a very small minority of bad people just as there are in any other country, however when it comes to family values we westerners have much to learn from those wonderful people. During my 20 years living in America and in my home country of Britain I am often asked which of the countries in which I have lived is my favorite, my answer is Iran, I have many wonderful friends there. The reaction from most westerners on both sides of the Atlantic is one of astonishment, how could I possibly enjoy living in such a place which is so different and so dangerous. The fact of the matter is that I almost never (except during the Revolution) felt threatened by Iranian people, even today when they regularly watch our western propaganda being pumped out by our media and political spin doctors in which we constantly threaten them with our mighty military, they are never anything other than warm and friendly to me. My conclusion is that they are armed with a culture infinitely older than our so called western culture, which is constantly force fed by the "its my way or the highway" mentality. I find the vast majority of Iranian people to believe that Allah will take care of them and their culture is steeped in the need to be hospitable to to the stranger who comes to their door. Don't judge the Iranian people for not trusting our western governments, we have manipulated their lives for many years, but my experience is, that when I had a problem they helped me, no matter how inconvenient it was to them. I have never found this in the world I come from, on rare occasions yes but not consistently as is my experience of Iran. Walking through the streets of Isfahan on a warm evening I am beckoned to break bread with the families cooking supper on their rugs on the pavements. It is sad when I hear the threats of invasion of such a wonderful place. The only hostilities they have engaged in was the Hostage Crisis but they were all returned alive and the war with Iraq, I was in Tehran when I heard the announcement on my car radio. Saddam was a friend of the west at that time. Douglas Lund

Whatever happened nine years ago,would be something to teach children who can learn from that historic "disaster".In our hearts,there must be a great value and Learning tool.God Bless those who were Heroes that day,and may we still "never forget";

we eventually moved out of new york in 04. i lived in that city for over forty years. except for 3 years in the military overseas o.k. i saw people sitting at the curb crying including myself when kennedy was shot in 63. i worked as a dishwasher at shorehams restaurant then, on maiden lane downtown. when the towers came down in 01 i was unemployed. and cried again. did not get a job or work for a while. thank you

That morning on 9/11 I got a phone call from my husband telling me the one of the WTC was on fire, & that he would be home late & that he love me. I that moment I was thinking why would my husband call me, then after I turn on the T.V learned what happen. As the day was going on, I haven't heard from my husband. For 3 days I didn't know if my husband was alive or not, & I was afraid I would never see him again. On the 3rd day, that night on 9/13 I saw my husband walk down to the house, he was covered in white, & I was so surprise to see him alive. I will never forget that day, because what he did. My husband Jim worked for the Fire Department of New York for 13 & half years, now is retired because of his health problems he has from 9/11. My husband Jim is a hero, & all the victims are a hero. So I give my support & love who was all in 9/11, & all who was on the air planes. I don't only think about 9/11 onces a year, I live with this pain everyday, because I don't know if my husband's health will take him. So don't every forget what these people did, & give support to all. Thanks Irene