May 22, 2012

We are all Americans on September 11th

Note:  I have been writing, in honor of Sara Low of my hometown, a blog post each year at our remembrance of 9/11.  This will be the fourth year I have written this blog post.  It is a testament to the strength of our country and, in particular, my hometown, Batesville, AR.

We have never forgotten, nor should we.  The most infamous day in my lifetime, by a long ways.  This is the newest generation’s “Do you remember where were?” moment, and it trumps the ones of my generation.

September 11 Tribute

Flickr: Brandan Loy

I watched from what seemed like afar in my Fort Worth, TX apartment.  It was the most surreal scene I had ever witnessed.  I was watching ABC with the late Peter Jennings narrating.  ABC put the best on the air to help us navigate what was going on.  Just a week earlier I had had what I thought was the worst day of my life.  It’s amazing what can happen in a week.

By the time I had gotten home from having breakfast with a friend, both towers had been hit.  TV was simply showing the fallout from the attack and speculating about what had happened.  While watching, the towers begin to fall before Jennings even noticed.  I was aghast.  I didn’t know what to say.

I thought it was far away from me, but I found out later that people I knew were directly involved.  Sara Low, the little sister of a girl in my high school graduating class was a stewardess on one of the planes.  I couldn’t believe what I heard and immediately had a heavy heart for the Low family, especially my classmate Alyson.

Tiny Batesville, AR where I was from, had been directly impacted and it was evident that this attack was more than an attack on New York City, the Pentagon or any other big cities.  No, this was an attack on all Americans and all of us in the United States.

Partisanship still reigns in this country.  Diversity is one of the things that makes us so great.  We have folks from all different walks of life and perspectives.  There are conservatives and liberals, whites and blacks, Asian Americans and Native Americans, Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, various religions and no religions and different types of lifestyles.  But the fact remains, we are all Americans.

And never before are we all Americans than on September 11th.  This is the 10th Anniversary.  Let’s reach across the aisle, let’s embrace one another and shake hands with someone not like us.  Let’s be Americans.

That was what Sara and the thousands of other victims were doing on September 11, 2001.  Let’s do that again. Let’s Remember!

We are all Americans!

Top Ten Ways Cal can Stop Oregon’s Blur

This weekend, the Cal Bears will take there turn at trying to slow down Oregon’s Blur Offense.  No one else has even come close as Oregon has averaged 54.7 points per game.  Not once this season has Oregon scored less than 42 points.  Not once!

As a result, we here at CFTT have decided to give Cal a few tips on how to stop this offensive quack attack.

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Remembering Sara

LAFAYETTE, CA - SEPTEMBER 11:  Flags remembering the 9/11 terrorist attacks are displayed on a freeway overpass September 11, 2008 in Lafayette, California. Memorials are being held across the country on the seventh anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington D.C. that killed more than 2,700 people.  (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

For the past couple of years, I have written posts in honor of Sara Low.  It breaks my heart to remember her really.  She was a victim of 9/11 and her sister was a member of my class.  Sara was a beautiful, smart, athletic young lady in high school.  She always had a smile on her face.  I can’t remember once when she did not.

My heart breaks for her family today.  They struggle with the grief and all of the other emotions that go along with the date of the tragic events.

I remember her track prowess.  I remember her smile.  I remember how smart she was.  I remember all that she gave this world and how we were better for it.

Mostly, I remember Sara’s smile.  Her beauty was reflected in her smile, and she always had a smile.  I have said before, and I still believe it, I can’t remember her without a smile.

Therefore, while this day reminds me of Sara, it reminds me also of her smile.  I know she is smiling.  She is smiling for all of the friends she made and her family.  She is smiling because she got to do what she loved.

Remember Sara Low, and remember all of those who we lost on September 11, 2001.  Remember the soldiers who keep us free.  Remember the soldiers who preserved our freedom long before we existed.  Remember the firefighters and police officers and strangers who risked their lives to help rescue victims.

Never forget.  Never.

I won’t.

God Bless you Alyson, and your family.

Top Pre-Season Magazine

If you are like me, you buy and pour over the top pre-season football magazines.  I have my favorite, and so do you.  Therefore, I am launching this poll to find out what you think!

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