Gung-ho Reminders

On someone's blog they asked "How will you commemorate 9-11?" My answer comment was that we would probably be working on the house and something would happen that would remind me - just as it does every day. That is pretty much how my day went. As Moogie said, the scab is healed, but the scar remains. There are all sorts of things to remind me of that horrible day. I don't really think in terms of anniversaries. It is just always there.

And so, we went to church. We played with the GGs. They came over to the house to see what progress had been made on our work. Some other friends dropped by after church to see the latest on the house. We took a bit of a nap, and then Lindz and Shay came over. They didn't just come to see the house, they came to work. You gotta love friends like that.

And so, we laid tile until dark. Having Lindz and Shay made things go much faster and a lot more fun. They were workin' machines. As we were finishing up for the evening, Jesse fixed fajitas. We all sat down to eat and visit and drink daiquiris. It was a good time.

And so, what made me remember 9-11? Well, it was Shay. While working, Shay related some stories of his time in Iraq - he was with the Oklahoma National Guard a few years back. Remembering those who have served in the military and are now serving goes hand in hand with remembering 9-11.

But it isn't just the fact that Shay served in the military, it is his gung-ho attitude - his joy for life - his willingness to help others. It is just the way Shay is - who he is - he is going to getter' done and have fun too.

It made me think of Rick Rescorla who died in the Twin Towers attack while helping others to get out of the buildings. Rick was that sort of gung-ho guy. I first read about Rick years ago when I read We Were Soldiers. I fell in love with him then as he sang Cornish folk songs to his men throughout the night - keeping them calm while they waited in their foxhole. Four times through the night they were attacked by the enemy - 20 to 1 odds - and they held their ground. Then at dawn, Rick led a bayonet charge at the enemy. You can Google Rick Rescorla and come up with all sorts of sites to read his story. I'm linking this one although it has language that some might find offensive - I liked the way it read. The post opens with this quote from one of Rick's men during the battle:
"My God, it was like Little Big Horn. We were all cowering in the bottom of our foxholes, expecting to get overrun. Rescorla gave us courage to face the coming dawn. He looked me in the eye and said, 'When the sun comes up, we're gonna kick some ass.'"

Rick Rescorla went on to be director of security for the Twin Towers. He would once again be a gung-ho hero on 9-11 working to get people out of the towers. There are stories of people hearing him singing folk songs and God Bless America as he went up and down the stairs calming the people and helping them out of the buildings. Although I never met Rick Rescorla, he is one of my biggest heroes. I don't think about 9-11 without thinking of him. It saddens my heart to know that such a man is gone, never to sing his songs, but I will never forget.

And I love you, Shay, not just for serving your country, but for being the man you are. You have done good things for me and my family. May the Lord bless you all the days of your life.