A Moment of Silence at Gate #C18

While queuing up to board JetBlue flight #2251 leaving Orlando for Boston on the morning of September 11th to attend a wedding, my thoughts about what I needed to get done on the flight to Boston and whether I would be upgraded were interrupted by the gate attendant asking for everyone’s attention.

“Oh no...please don’t let this be a ‘delay’ announcement. I really want to make it to the rehearsal dinner,” I said to myself.

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please. Thank you. 

“Exactly 25 years ago at 9:46 AM Eastern Standard Time, a plane struck one of the World Trade Towers. Moments later, a second plane struck the other World Trade Center tower. And in other parts of the country – at the Pentagon and over the fields of Pennsylvania - two other planes carried out their destructive and evil-bent mission to kill and destroy. 

“Thousands of lives were lost in an instant, and countless other lives were lost whether in response to the disaster or later, to the physical and mental diseases resulting from the events of 9/11. Wives, husbands, daughters, sons, grandfathers, grandmothers, nieces, nephews, cousins, co-workers, and dear friends were lost forever in the events of 9/11. May we never forget them. May our tears never dry. 

“Let us take a moment of silence – to remember and honor the lives of those who were lost, and recall our resolve that this will never happen again.”

[Orlando International Airport Terminal C, Gate C18 was immersed in a moment of silence. And for the moment, we recalled where we were 25 years ago as the skies darkened over New York City and thousands of souls were released from this life to the next. I recalled the anger, the fear, the tears, and the call home that I was okay. I recall the prayers on that day and in the days since, seeking peace in the world and peace in my soul.]

Let us take a moment of silence for those who lost their lives on September 11th, the first responders who risk their lives to save others, and for the family and friends who lost someone related to September 11th.  Let us pray for their peace and eternal salvation.

A moment of silence at Gate #C18.