Memorial

[Lindley]

I am curious, where did you find the letter from Alexander Siddig?

[Theresa]

[Theresa]

THE GIFT


T'WAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS,

HE LIVED ALL ALONE,

IN A ONE BEDROOM HOUSE MADE OF

PLASTER AND STONE.



I HAD COME DOWN THE CHIMNEY

WITH PRESENTS TO GIVE,

AND TO SEE JUST WHO

IN THIS HOME DID LIVE.



I LOOKED ALL ABOUT,

A STRANGE SIGHT I DID SEE,

NO TINSEL, NO PRESENTS,

NOT EVEN A TREE.



NO STOCKING BY MANTLE,

JUST BOOTS FILLED WITH SAND,

ON THE WALL HUNG PICTURES

OF FAR DISTANT LANDS.



WITH MEDALS AND BADGES,

AWARDS OF ALL KINDS,

A SOBER THOUGHT

CAME THROUGH MY MIND.



FOR THIS HOUSE WAS DIFFERENT,

IT WAS DARK AND DREARY,

I FOUND THE HOME OF A SOLDIER,

ONCE I COULD SEE CLEARLY.



THE SOLDIER LAY SLEEPING,

SILENT, ALONE,

CURLED UP ON THE FLOOR

IN THIS ONE BEDROOM HOME.



THE FACE WAS SO GENTLE,

THE ROOM IN SUCH DISORDER,

NOT HOW I PICTURED

A UNITED STATES SOLDIER.



WAS THIS THE HERO OF WHOM I'D JUST READ?

CURLED UP ON A PONCHO, THE FLOOR FOR A BED?

I REALIZED THE FAMILIES

THAT I SAW THIS NIGHT,

OWED THEIR LIVES TO THESE SOLDIERS

WHO WERE WILLING TO FIGHT.



SOON ROUND THE WORLD,

THE CHILDREN WOULD PLAY,

AND GROWNUPS WOULD CELEBRATE

A BRIGHT CHRISTMAS DAY.



THEY ALL ENJOYED FREEDOM

EACH MONTH OF THE YEAR,

BECAUSE OF THE SOLDIERS,

LIKE THE ONE LYING HERE.



I COULDN'T HELP WONDER

HOW MANY LAY ALONE,

ON A COLD CHRISTMAS EVE

IN A LAND FAR FROM HOME.



THE VERY THOUGHT

BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE,

I DROPPED TO MY KNEES

AND STARTED TO CRY.



THE SOLDIER AWAKENED

AND I HEARD A ROUGH VOICE,

"SANTA DON'T CRY,

THIS LIFE IS MY CHOICE;



I FIGHT FOR FREEDOM,

I DON'T ASK FOR MORE,

MY LIFE IS MY GOD,

MY COUNTRY, MY CORPS."



THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER

AND SOON DRIFTED TO SLEEP,

I COULDN'T CONTROL IT,

I CONTINUED TO WEEP.



I KEPT WATCH FOR HOURS,

SO SILENT AND STILL

AND WE BOTH SHIVERED

FROM THE COLD NIGHT'S CHILL.



I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE

ON THAT COLD, DARK, NIGHT,

THIS GUARDIAN OF HONOR

SO WILLING TO FIGHT.



THEN THE SOLDIER ROLLED OVER,

WITH A VOICE SOFT AND PURE,

WHISPERED, "CARRY ON SANTA,

IT'S CHRISTMAS DAY, ALL IS SECURE."



ONE LOOK AT MY WATCH, AND I KNEW HE WAS RIGHT.

"MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND, AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT."



This poem was written by a Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan.

[Captian Janeway]

That is really good!!!!!!!

[Theresa]

> > My name is Christine Hanson.
> > I am only two years old.
> > I am going for a ride,
> > or thats what I am told.
> >
> > I am sitting here quietly,
> > next to my mom and dad.
> > I am having a fun time.
> > Everyone seems glad.
> >
> > Why is he yelling Daddy?
> > Please tell me what' s wrong!
> > Please dont cry Mommy,
> > this ride won't be that long!
> >
> > Why are we getting up
> > and moving to the back?
> > Why is everyone crying?
> > Why is she being attacked?
> >
> > What did I do wrong?
> > Why are they yelling at us?
> > Why is everyone screaming?
> > What is all the fuss?
> >
> > I thought you said that
> > this plane ride would be fun.
> > Is this a game Mommy?
> > Am I it, am I the one?
> >
> > I think I will hide behind you,
> > so that I don't get caught.
> > Daddy this isnt fun anymore!
> > This isn't what I thought.
> >
> > Why do I see buildings
> > right out the next window?
> > Shouldn't we stop now?
> > Shouldn't we go slow?
> >
> > What was that loud boom?
> > Why do I see fire?
> > What just happened Daddy?
> > We should have been higher!
> >
> > We have hit a building,
> > the World Trade Center I think.
> > I am slowly dying now.
> > I can't open my eyes to blink.
> >
> > Where are you Mommy?
> > Why can't I hear your voice?
> > Why did they drive us here?
> > This wasnt our choice.
> >
> > My name is Christine Hanson,
> > I am only two years old.
> > We were going for a plane ride.
> > Thats what we were told.
> >
> > I'll never go to prom.
> > I wont reach the age of three.
> > Why did this happen to these people?
> > Why did this happen to me?
> >
> > Please pass this on in memory of Christine
> > Hanson who was killed on flight 175 at 9:03 am and
> > for the thousands more who died on 9-11-01, the day
> > America was under attack. >>

[Theresa]

September 11, 2001
By George Takei

The magnitude of the atrocities that we watched in sheer horror on our television sets on the morning of September 11, 2001, is still growing in the grotesque count of casualties. The human tragedies are unimaginable. The pain in our hearts is unbearable.

Out of the wreckage, though, emerged uncommon courage and humanity. Firefighters, police officers, and volunteers worked under harrowing conditions to try to save the victims of the devastation. Their valor, their extraordinary sacrifices stirred our spirits. The casualties among these brave heroes compound the horror and grief.

Our revulsion, heartache, and sheer shock at the enormity of the tragedy must now turn to resolve. Those cowardly fanatics who planned, aided, and executed these acts of terror must be brought to justice. Theirs was an assault, not only on the United States and all that we stand for, but against the very values of civilized society throughout this world.

The focus of the terrorists was on the fundamental ideals of the United States. The free enterprise that was symbolized by the World Trade Center, the might of the U.S. that was symbolized by the Pentagon and the freedom and democracy that was symbolized by the Statue of Liberty clearly visible in New York harbor, were threats to those deranged but cunning fanatics. They do not know how potent a force a roused and united America can be. In a crisis, we will act -- and act with commanding vigor.

That power will be exercised with our American values intact. Attorney General John Ashcroft forcefully stated that the target is the terrorist criminals and their associates -- not Muslims, not Arabs, not Middle Easterners. Congress passed a resolution on Friday night to protect the rights of Muslims, Arab Americans and South Asian Americans. Unlike the racial hysteria that followed the Pearl Harbor bombing by Japan, when Americans of Japanese ancestry were incarcerated in American concentration camps solely because of their ethnicity, the Attorney General was very clear that race, religion and background will not be the focus of this campaign. It will be the evidence of criminality. The lesson of history has been instructive this time around.

Deplorably, we still have dangerously ignorant hysterics among us in America. There have been shots fired into mosques, Arab American businesses painted with the word "Die!" and reports of a Sikh person shot and killed in Arizona. These domestic fanatics are no better than the terrorists. Their acts shame America and besmirch the glory of our Stars and Stripes. They, too, must be tried and punished -- unlike the victims of their ignorant racism.

Last night, I went to a concert at the Hollywood Bowl as I had planned some time ago. I refuse to let terrorism affect me. I will not let them win by forcing me to change my plans. The concert was glorious. At the end of the evening, the soloists, Marni Nixon, Nell Carter and Lauren Frost took their bows, then led us in singing "America the Beautiful." Fifteen thousand rose up in full voice. The hills of Hollywood resounded strong, united, and magnificent. Neither terrorism nor ignorance will stand in this America today.

[Theresa]

[Theresa]

The one that seems to be overlooked constantly,
The Pentagon.

[Theresa]