Colonel Found Dead In Texas

Courage of Flight 93 victims is lauded

Shanksville, Pa. - The 40 passengers and crew who fought back against their hijackers on Flight 93, Sept. 11 conducted one of the most courageous acts in American history, former President George W. Bush said Saturday at a ceremony dedicating the first phase of a memorial to the nation's newest national park.

Former President Bill Clinton compared the actions of those aboard Flight 93 to the defenders of the Alamo in Texas or the Spartans at the battle of Thermopylae some 2,500 years ago, with a dramatic difference and saying. "They were soldiers, they knew what they had to do."

Passengers and crew were not, but they gave "the whole country a priceless gift: They saved the capital of the attack," an incalculable amount of lives and al-Qaeda denied the symbolic victory of "breaking the center of the U.S. government," Clinton said.

Those on board knew he was more than a hijacking, but an opening shot in a new war, Vice President Joe Biden said. He said they acted as patriots, citizens have been Captain John Parker said in April 1775 that if war is what they want, "then let it begin here."

They were among several speakers at the dedication of the Flight 93 National Memorial, who said the sacrifice and honor of the passengers and crew. The ceremony was attended by over 4,000 people, including hundreds of relatives of the victims, the rural Pennsylvania field where the hijacked plane crashed 10 years ago.

An invocation by Rev. Daniel Coughlin, who was the chaplain at American Chamber of attacks was followed by a long silence as the American flag was presented, and a singing of the Star-Spangled Banner. The names of the victims were also read as bells tolled, and Grammy Award-winning musician Sarah McLachlan performed.

Earlier Saturday, Bush laid a wreath at the Pentagon, paying tribute to the 184 people killed when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into that building. Today, President Barack Obama is to visit Shanksville during a second ceremony honoring those who were killed on Flight 93. He is also attending events at ground zero and at the Pentagon.

A Hollywood Republican » Charity for MSA at Texas Roadhouse

Well, it was very busy but rewarding week. As you may remember last week I was preparing to attend the ceremony 9 / 11 Memorial in Fairborn. I look forward to this event each year as an opportunity to honor those brave Americans who lost their lives from a cowardly terrorist attack. I still have trouble watching the video of the plane hitting the towers of commerce. I was in this very building in which they opened in 1973 and again in 1983. I never imagined they would be gone, no less an evil entity who has chosen with forethought and malice to the lives of so many people.

The ceremony was very moving. The weather was sunny with a nice breeze that made the flag float like a proud soldier. Our band very clean and everyone has been civil joined to sing our national anthem. We were very fortunate to have many dignitaries there to talk. Thank you, Congressman Steve Austria (R) and Senator Chris Widener (R - District 10) to share your thoughts with us.

We also are fortunate to have Jim Gruenberg, a former firefighter NY who was assigned as a liaison with FEMA at Ground Zero and is now co-director of Calamityville.He shared the views and feelings of those first responders and reverence they showed that they removed the wounded from the rubble. He mentioned an instance where he attended the firefighters found one of them. They instructed their friend on a cart and struggled to carry him through the rubble. They were at the bottom of the hill of concrete and steel, silent and motionless until the fire truck came back to wear the firefighter fell off.He said they used the backup because the one they had in service and responded to the scene was now buried under the rubble.

Remember the most moving came from Lt. Col. Bruce Lyman. Lt. Col. Lyman is in the Air Force Reserve, completed his master's degree courses at the Defense Intelligence Agency in strategic intelligence, and arrived at the Pentagon where he was hit.   He has traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan more than 20 times since the attack and spoke of the conversations he has had with their citizens and how thankful they are that we have given them the opportunity to be free from the tyrants that once ruled their countries.  He spoke of one conversation in particular where he asked a gentleman who he hoped would be elected in their first ever election.  He states the man said, “It doesn’t matter.  All that matters is we were able to vote."It was wonderful to hear that they are grateful for the life of Americans have given not only to protect our freedom, but to give freedom to others.

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