9/11....The Time to Remember is "ALWAYS"

Todd Beamer, Flight 93 Passenger

Jeremy Glick, Flight 93 Passenger

Pleasanton resident Tom Burnett, passenger Flight 93

Every 9/11 is heart searing. 

It is nearly impossible to believe it has been 25 years since we were attacked by al-Qaeda terrorists...so strong are the memories of that horrible day. I was in Boulder Creek with Dave just finishing a vacation when we walked into the checkout office only to see the Twin Towers billowing smoke over NYC on a small television. "We've been attacked! Planes! Twice!" said a shaking woman behind the desk. 25 years ago.

Today, a 9/11 post on Facebook by Meteorologist Dan Henry tugged at my heart. Because it puts a light on lesser discussed Flight 93 which crashed outside Shanksville PA and because one of our own Pleasanton residents was onboard and chose to pay the ultimate sacrifice to spare others, I am sharing Mr. Henry's Facebook post and the heroic story of Flight 93 below in remembrance of 9/11/2001...

REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11, 2001….."LET'S ROLL.”

Todd Beamer was an American passenger aboard United Airlines Flight 93, which was hijacked and crashed as part of the September 11 attacks in 2001. He, along with Mark Bingham, Tom Burnett from Pleasanton CA, Jeremy Glick and several other passengers, attempted to regain control of the aircraft from the hijackers. During the struggle, the Boeing 757 lost control and crashed into a field in Stonycreek Township near Shanksville Pennsylvania killing everyone on board, but preventing the hijackers from reaching their intended target (believed to be the U.S. Capitol or the White House).

According to accounts of cell-phone conversations, Beamer, Mark Bingham, Tom Burnett, and Jeremy Glick formed a plan to retake the plane. They were joined by other passengers, including Lou Nacke, Rich Guadagno, Alan Beaven, Honor Elizabeth Wainio, Linda Gronlund, and William Cashman, along with flight attendants Sandra Bradshaw and CeeCee Lyles, in discussing their options and voting on a course of action, ultimately deciding to storm the cockpit.

Beamer told the GTE Airfone Supervisor, Lisa Jefferson, that the group planned to "jump on" the hijackers and crash the plane before the hijackers could carry out their plan. He recited the Lord's Prayer and the 23rd Psalm with Jefferson, prompting others to join in. He asked Jefferson, "If I don't make it, please call my family and let them know how much I love them." After this, Jefferson heard muffled voices and Beamer clearly answering, "Are you ready? Okay. Let's roll." These were the last words from Beamer that Jefferson heard.

These were ordinary people who showed extraordinary courage. They knew they were not going to make it home, but they chose to fight back rather than allow the terrorists to reach another target. 

The passengers of Flight 93 made the ultimate sacrifice, and in doing so, they saved more innocent lives. Never Forget.

(Source: Dan Henry, Facebook)

Goodbye Dolly...Hello Dolly

On Tuesday August 25, the world said goodbye to one of its most precious individuals while heaven above got to say  "Hello Dolly!"

 We all loved her. Who couldn't love her? That smile, that voice, the kind heart, the always accepting attitude towards all people, the incredible business acumen, the humility, the faith, the loyalty to husband Carl.

Back in the late 80's, Dave and I never missed her Sunday night TV variety show. Our favorite part was at the end when she did a skit playing a waitress who encountered different kinds of customers with different kinds of problems. She always listened to them....I mean like she REALLY listened and had some simple yet profound words and wisdom to help them. I cried sometimes, so sweet were her words and actions. Well, of course I wanted to be more like Dolly...I think I still do. I was a waitress at the Hungry Hunter when I met Dave so I related to her job but couldn't rival her kind heart.

Her interactions with other people on TV and her interviews revealed the most down to earth celebrity I had ever witnessed. She expressed a simple faith in her heavenly father, again with humility and gratefulness. 

I heard the news of her passing when I got in the car to come home from the driving range. The newscaster was speaking of her in past tense. OH NO! I said it out loud. Not another one gone. I cried and then suddenly realized how elated heaven was at the same moment I was crying. We cry when we face the departure of a loved one...it's automatic...it's human...it's natural. Loss. Questions. 

And then in the blink of an eye, we see the window on eternity opened and we know our loved one, now living in heaven, is filled with more joy and love and peace than they have ever known. Life is grand for them! They are totally fulfilled with every prayer and question answered. As so it makes that transition, that loss not sting quite so horribly deeply. 

We realize everything is different, yet everything is the same. We still love them. We just can't see them. We still honor them, we just can't see them. We still hear their words and learn from their lives, we just can't see them.

I know with all my heart that Dolly is still Dolly still doing Dolly things. We just can't see her. But God has prepared a place for her so that she can be with him. He made her beautiful and kind and compassionate and creative and talented and full of faith. He won't let any of that go to waste just because she moved away from us. 

Dave and Dolly were born only 18 days apart! 

Dave...January 1, 1946

Dolly January 19, 1946

She lived here about 1 1/2 years without Carl.

I am going on 3 1/2 years since God decided it was time for Dave to go home.

God bless you Dolly and Dave! 

We know where you are...and while we wait to see you again,

 we carry you in our hearts

"God is Nigh"

 

                                                            (AP photo)

In the late 1950s, my parents bought an organ for me, a little one, when I was about 8 years old. The first song I learned to play was "From the Halls of Montezuma"...to the shores of Tripoli. I didn't understand much more about those words than that they were about brave soldiers somewhere fighting a war. I sang the song proudly while I played. I have always had an affinity for the military. Even at a young age, I appreciated bravery and willingness to serve others...qualities I recognized in young men in uniform. I remember watching TV programs in the late 50's about the military..."Men of Annapolis" and"West Point" .

Today is Memorial Day 2026. CSPAN is airing the National Memorial Day parade complete with marching bands, gold star families carrying flags, and Americans of all stripes and colors lining the street. The beautiful American flag is everywhere. It is the day the President will lay the wreath at Arlington National Cemetary while Taps is played.

Today is the day we get to donate to the Gary Sinise Foundation and Tunnel to Towers Foundation. They both have taken up the call to continue to support the families of military men and women who have lost a loved one by paying off home mortgages and providing programs and emotional support.

Today is the day for us to remember those who gave all by enjoying the freedoms for which they fought and died.

"It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth".

May the words of Abraham Lincoln stir the hearts of all Americans as today we remember "these honored dead".