2,996 « Journals of Journeys

11Sep/09Off

I Will Remember You: Project 2,996

Where's your flag? Is it out today? Have you thought about the thousands of Americans who died just eight years ago, today? The thousands more who've died, been maimed, are struggling as they fight in a war for justice and to preserve your freedom? Those left behind? Those who work tirelessly on home soil to protect and preserve our freedom? Don't let the memories slip away. Don't forget to thank those who have worked to give you your freedom. Don't. Forget.

A few years ago the kidlets and I took part in a special tribute to the 2,996 victims of September 11, 2001. Author D. C. Roe had spearheaded, Never Forget. He vowed to never forget the 2,996 lives that had been taken from this planet that fateful day, their contributions and the families and loved ones they left behind. The boys and I were given five names to research, learn about and join D. C. Roe in vowing to remember them.

We are thinking of Ernest Alikako, Francis J. Nazario, Frederick Kuo Jr., Jimmy Audiffred and Juan Salas who were victims of 9-11. We will be thinking of their families. Of their contributions to this world, to our country before their untimely demise. We will be lifting them up, their families up. We challenge you to do the same. For more information about the project, to participate or read the tributes other bloggers have put together to never forget the other 2,991 victims, visit Roe's new website at: http://project2996.wordpress.com/

Filed under: 2,996, 2009, 911, D. C. Roe, Ernest Alikako, Francis J Nazario, Frederick Kuo Jr, Jimmy Audiffred, Journals, Juan Salas, Kathie, Thanks, Thanksgiving, Thoughts, fire No Comments

8Oct/08Off

Introducing The New and Improved

Earlier this evening a new face was given to eJourn.net which includes feeds from the four blogs hosted here: The Pie Dudes blog; Angels Near and Far with tributes to some of the 2,996 men, women and children lost during 9/11; the home of Chico Writer's Group and, of course, this blog. A special addition can also be found there, an author's bio.

Want to know more? Log onto the main page by going to http://www.ejourn.net

Enjoy! (Feedback always appreciated!)

Filed under: 2,996, 2008, 911, Information, Journals, Kathie 4 Comments

11Sep/08Off

Remembering 9/11/01

I'm not going to recount the events of that day that changed Americans' lives forever. I'm not going to retell the emotional rolls that catapulted me through a day that I will never forget. I can't even begin to pay a tribute to the lives that were lost that day. Like with my relationship with God, this is something that I just have to have faith in - I simply won't forget.

9.11.01 Never Forget So in memory of Ernest Alikako, Jimmy Audiffred, Juan Salas, Francis J. Nazario and Frederick Kuo, Jr. and the other 2,991 souls lost that fateful day, the hundreds upon thousands of men and women we've lost in the war against terror and their families, I offer this:

My children are being raised with a more profound sense of pride, respect and responsibility because of what happened on September 11th, 2001. I have renewed my vestment in America, the country which has afforded me life, liberty and justice but most importantly freedom because of what happened on September 11, 2001. My husband's daily fight to preserve life and safety has not been forgotten as he drives the fire engine to calls with our American flag waving gloriously above the cab.

I stopped today to remember
and I remembered last week, too
In fact, I often remember since 9/11/01
and sometimes stop to do so.

As an American, I had forgotten
how precious my freedom is.
I have taken for granted
my inalienable rights.

But when life and liberty
was taken from my fellow Americans,
I remembered. It's a painful
memory to endure.

I support justice.
    I support liberty.
        I support life.
But most of all, I support freedom
And honor those who have
Reminded me to never stop.
                                       Never Forget 9/11/08
                                       by Kathie Leung (c) 2008

Filed under: 2,996, 911, Ernest Alikako, Family, Francis J Nazario, Frederick Kuo Jr, Important, Jimmy Audiffred, Journals, Juan Salas, Kathie, Thanksgiving, Thoughts 2 Comments

11Sep/07Off

Kanye: MTV exploited Britney for ratings

Wow.

Earth shattering news, isn't it?Â And here, on the 6th anniversary of one of the most devastating events in this nation's history, September 11th this is the best the AP and Yahoo news can come up with... Britney was exploited for MTVs ratings.Â The world according to Kayne West.

Even more sad, is that this article made little sense.Â Go ahead, read it: [here]

A8?Â Now pick yourself up off the floor and while you're at it, spend some time remembering the 2996 who perished 6 years ago today.Â And the families and loved ones they've left behind.Â And the men and women halfway 'round the world fighting in a war that's apparently one we'll have to repeat until the politicians get their heads out of the toilets.

Hey, think we should mandate a few history class refreshers every 3 or 4 years to run consecutive with reappointments to office?

Make peace, people!

Filed under: 2,996, 911, Just Wrong, Kathie, Rants, Slam, Twisted 1 Comment

13Sep/06Off

Juan Salas: We Will Never Forget

Juan Salas was 35 years old and worked at "Windows on the World," the restaurant on top of the World Trade Center's north tower which had a spectacular view of the Big Apple. The staff had been serving breakfast to nearly a hundred of WTC stock brokers, executive attendees of a convention and Neil Levin, the Executive Director of the Port Authority. [1] But that's about all we know about this man as numerous post-9/11 guest books, articles and other information seem to carry warm thoughts and prayers but knowledge of this soul whose thirty-five years were cut so tragically short, allowing us to see a more personal glimpse are non-existant.

It's saddening. I so desperately want to know this man because I know too much about ... well, about creatures I don't want to know anything about.

UPDATE: The following comment was posted to another post made in August 2006 announcing the plans to write a tribute to Juan Salas.Â I've copied it here:

we miss you n love you daddy, and we will never forget you. Our lives have changed since u left us and it will never be the same. I know u in a better place now, but i'm just hurt you left without saying good bye and that they still haven't find your body so we could give you a proper burial.>>>love jennifer juan and aridely…..will make you proud>:)

Comment by jennifer and juan jr salas — 4/24/2007

I'm truly sorry for your loss, Jennifer, Juan Jr. and Aridely.Â And I hope that in time, you will be able to find peace and comfort.
Juan is a symbol to me. A symbol of hope. A symbol of courage. A symbol of compassion. A symbol of the freedom, the unity and the love we have for one another as we have bonded to those whose lives we may have never touched but whose losses have caused us to grieve.

I'd like to invite you to visit an amazing site: Windows on the World where a story about the restaurant can be read and personal stories are added (you can add your own) to help the site owners create a living tribute with 107 stories. Another part of the site links to Windows of Hope, a Family Relief Fund formed to provide aid, future scholarships and funds to the families of the victims of the World Trade Center tragedy. This fund is ongoing with a mere 1% supporting administrative finances.

For Juan Salas, his family and friends, and the other victims of 9/11: We will remember you.

To read tributes for the other 2,995 victims of September 11, 2001, please visit the project coordinator and the birth father of this incredible online event at: www.dcroe.com/2996/. Also, you can find tributes for:

Frederick Kuo, Jr. by visiting: Angels Near and Far written by 10 year old Ryan,

Francis Nazario by visiting: Angels Near and Far written by Ryan's twin brother, Zach,

James "Jimmy" Audiffred at the writing prompt site: 3Somes-For-The-Week

1. USA Today: August 28, 2003 'We need to find a safe haven,' WTC restaurant manager pleads http://www.usatoday.com; http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-08028-wtc-windows_x.htm

Filed under: 2,996, 911, D. C. Roe, Juan Salas, Kathie 2 Comments

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