The 9/11 Memorial is something very special to
the citizens of Anthony. You can learn more about it at the official
Anthony
Memorial site.
Here is a story that we
wanted to share about our experience since 9/11:
He
was only 5 months old and we had just moved into a larger home to
accommodate our growing family and the “stuff” that that entails. I
still remember where I was. I will always remember. I had just dropped
him off at the church nursery, and I went on my way to the class where
our MOMS Bible study class was held. But something was different. The
televisions, which were normally on, were now attracting crowds of women
with cell phones held to their ears. His father was still at home, where
I found out later he witnessed the horror live on television. The second
plane had crashed into the World Trade Center, and the world as we knew
it slowly came to an end.
The emotions we all felt
kept adrenaline flowing as we tried to figure out what it all meant.
Husbands out of town on business had to drive rental cars home. Brothers
in the military were prayed over, and we left it all in God’s hands.
Later, we found out about the hijacked planes, the Pentagon hit, and the
heroes who thwarted the plans of the terrorists on flight 93. All
commercial jets were grounded for the first time in American history.
I have to say that on
that day, I held onto him a little bit tighter when I picked him up from
the nursery. I wonder if he noticed.
A
lot has changed since then. He is 5 now and has a 3 year old sister. We
have moved halfway across the country, abandoning the overcrowded
suburbs for a small farming community in South Central Kansas. You may
have heard of Anthony, Kansas, especially if you have followed the
development of 9/11 memorials. There is something special about this
town. You can see it in the Memorial, and feel it as you enter each
friendly store along main street. It is not a perfect world, but
a small world- where just about everyone knows you.
He will grow up here,
and call Anthony “home.” Until he is too old, he will continue to climb
on the Anthony Memorial, and ask his daddy what it means. As he grows,
and increases in wisdom, what will he think of September 11, the War on
Terror, and what the Memorial stands for? With a reminder right here in
the park where he plays, he will learn what we should not forget. That
five years ago, when he was only five months old, his world was changed
before he had a chance to know it. And here, in a little town called
Anthony, he will look into the sky at the waving American flag and
innocently smile.
Anthony
Memorial ~ 9/11 5th Anniversary
Each of our children lit a wick for the heroes of
9/11.
He
was only 5 months old and we had just moved into a larger home to
accommodate our growing family and the “stuff” that that entails. I
still remember where I was. I will always remember. I had just dropped
him off at the church nursery, and I went on my way to the class where
our MOMS Bible study class was held. But something was different. The
televisions, which were normally on, were now attracting crowds of women
with cell phones held to their ears. His father was still at home, where
I found out later he witnessed the horror live on television. The second
plane had crashed into the World Trade Center, and the world as we knew
it slowly came to an end. 
A
lot has changed since then. He is 5 now and has a 3 year old sister. We
have moved halfway across the country, abandoning the overcrowded
suburbs for a small farming community in South Central Kansas. You may
have heard of Anthony, Kansas, especially if you have followed the
development of 9/11 memorials. There is something special about this
town. You can see it in the Memorial, and feel it as you enter each
friendly store along main street. It is not a perfect world,
but
a small world- where just about everyone knows you.
