We received the following--RL. We wanted to notify those wondering where we are, that we are safe. Jodie’s Father died at the beginning of the month, and we flew home from Korea, on Emergency Leave, initially flying into and out of DC’s Dulles Airport. On Tuesday, 11 September, at the time of the hijackings, we were returning to Korea, enroute to LAX on a DELTA Airlines Flight. We were diverted to San Antonio, Texas, grounded for the duration. Unlike those flying to LAX on UNITED and AMERICAN flights on “Black Tuesday,” WE will soon be able to get on with our lives, and respond to you soon. For those who are as shaken as we are, please pass on the message below, to as many people as you think appropriate. God Bless you, God Bless America. REMEMBER BLACK TUESDAY! On the night of 11 September, stranded in San Antonio Texas, we made a pilgrimage to the Alamo, silent and deserted, yet screaming of the patriotism and sacrifice it represents. One sign there called it “The Price of Freedom,” another simply says: “REMEMBER THE ALAMO!” (... and we remember the commitment to Liberty and the sacrifice made there.) We later visited the adjacent Menger Hotel and Bar where, after the US Battleship MAINE was blown up by terrorists in Cuba, Teddy Roosevelt recruited “The Rough Riders.” We stood on the balcony where, 100 years ago, Roosevelt shouted “REMEMBER THE MAINE!” (.. and we remember the patriotism, and resolve that carried them to victory.) Tomorrow, we resume our return trip by Military Airlift. We have a layover at Hickam Field/Pearl Harbor. ... and I cannot easily type or say those words for what it brings to mind. For now, I know the feelings felt by my father before me. I can also now comprehend how, in the face of a vicious and relentless enemy, and after unprecedented carnage, Americans resorted to nuclear weapons at the end of that war. (Could that weapon have averted Hitler, the Holocaust, and untold millions of WWII deaths?) Although some may have forgotten the Alamo and the Maine, I hope most Americans can still “REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR!” (... and remember the years of suffering and determination required to rise from that defeat to ) As of 11 September, 2001 -- a painful and black Tuesday -- we have something else to remember. “REMEMBER BLACK TUESDAY!" Remember the sacrifices and suffering endured. Remember the resolve now needed to rise above this atrocity. Remember the determination now required to defeat those associated with it. Remember the commitment and wisdom essential to preventing any recurrence. Remember the patriotism, and genuine unity required to see it though. And above all else: Remember the Motto of the United States of America: "IN GOD WE TRUST.” Poem Remember the Alamo! Remember the Maine! Remember Pearl Harbor! Who can forget the pain? Remember every loved-one lost, who’s made that sacrifice, Remember every family, who knows of Freedom’s price. America will always rise to answer freedom’s cry, Tho’ always there are those who’d seek strike her, should she try, Above all fear and darkness, is the truth, which shall not fail, And through Justice and liberty, America will prevail. Remember Black Tuesday! Today, we needn’t say. For its remembrance was burned into our hearts that day. Back to 3rd Quarter 2001 List of News Items Back to Master List of News Items Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 2001 by Coalition Web, Inc. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com