How can you put a better face on something you have already addressed? Today is 9-11-2019. Eighteen years ago, we experienced a tragedy. We still reel from its aftereffects. Here is what I submitted last year.

It was our generation’s Pearl Harbor. I had switched from active duty to being a national guard weekend warrior. I was working for Southwestern Bell as a project manager on a big project at Ft. Polk LA. I was in a contractors meeting when the towers were hit. I began summarizing the teams at the unit I was over at the time, communicating with my commander, hard times. I was retiring. The Colonel said, “not yet”. I was proud to serve, and while we had a few suffering from divorces and PTSD issues, thank the Lord, they all came back alive.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum (also known as the 9/11 Memorial and 9/11 Memorial Museum) remains the principal memorial and museum commemorating the September 11 attacks of 2001, which killed 2,977 people, and the World Trade Center bombing of 1993, which killed six. The memorial is located at the World Trade Center site, on the former location of the Twin Towers, which were destroyed during the attacks. The World Trade Center Memorial Foundation was renamed the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center in 2007. The winner of the World Trade Center Site Memorial Competition was Israeli architect Michael Arad of Handel Architects, a New York- and San Francisco-based firm. Arad worked with landscape architecture firm Peter Walker and Partners on the design which calls for a forest of trees with two square pools in the center, where the Twin Towers once stood.

On a special note that same incident occurred with the Pennsylvania crash where the jet was commandeered by Jihadist and the travelers took over, no one survived but the mission became a failure. Also, on the same day and a jet plowed into the Pentagon. I have acquaintances who are conspiracy oriented and I get that. I got a call from an old friend (now gone) and skydiving mentor from Hawaii who was travelling on the highway and saw the jet fly into the Pentagon. He called me knowing I was still serving. Folks can say and believe what they want.

Switching gears be looking for the new raffle tickets coming out around our usual outlets. We did very well last time and want to do it again. 100 Anniversary American Legion coins are still available (the boss picked up some more). Also, the Sons of American Legion will be looking at an opportunity for a local tour in the facilities of our local Hominy heroes. They are very excited but before I can say more, I need to get it lined out. Stand by.

Don’t forget our regular meetings continue the first and third Thursdays of the month. September 19th will be the next one. 7:00 PM. Monday morning Koffee Klatch meetings in September are still scheduled for biscuits and gravy and always a cup of Joe (coffee to the civilians). Just watch the weather, it is the only factor that my change that. If you are a veteran come on by. If you have a good story it may end up in print. Also keep up with us at website “americanlegion142.org”.