Oh What a Night!

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Last night officially started the 2009 NFL season when the Tennessee Titans fell to my Steelers 13-10 in overtime. Some of you may already know that yours truly was among the 65,110 fans in attendance. It was a game I'm glad I was able to attend.

My hubby and I played it smart from the outset. Instead of paying an outrageous amount of money to park next to Heinz Field, we decided to park in the parking garage at Station Square and shuttle over to the stadium via the Gateway Clipper river fleet. Much less traffic headaches and about $10 total cheaper.

Before boarding the shuttle, we grabbed dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe at Station Square. I LOVE the HRC because of all the memorabilia enshrined within its walls. The food is a little pricey, but definitely tasty. I snapped pictures of a schoolboy outfit worn by Angus Young, Kurt Cobain's guitar, and numerous other relics. My hubby never understood this quirk of mine, but I guess rock and roll makes some people do odd things.

We arrived at Heinz Field about half an hour before kickoff and quickly found our seats. May I just say that if I could've permanently stayed in that seat, I would've. We were 15 rows off the field behind the Steeler bench on approximately the 40-yard line nearest the Steeler end zone.
Those are the kind of seats that only come along once in a lifetime. Twice if you're extremely lucky.

As we sat waiting for opening festivities, I happened to notice about 10 people in Steeler jerseys standing along the sideline. The names on the jerseys sounded familiar, but, in going through my years of team rosters in my head, none really set off the lightbulb. Where had I heard those names? Oh well...just chill until the game is ready to start.

We sat and watched the Sony Jumbotron flash us images of past Steelers historical moments and stats. My mind kept wandering back to those 10 people. It started to border on obsession. You know...one of those moments where you think of something that you KNOW you have the answer to but just can't retrieve it from your memory bank. I hate when that happens because I usually can't focus until I remember.

Fans filed into their seats more and more as the minutes passed. Up and down...up and down...(we had seats at the end of the row). Okay. I see the military honor guard ready to take the field for the National Anthem. It's getting close. Then, the lightbulb lit up.

I happened to notice that all of the jerseys worn by the 10 sideline spectators sported the number 93. As in Flight 93. Family members of the brave men and women who were on that fateful flight had been invited to the game to honor their loved ones and all who died that day. Flash to a memory of watching the movie "Flight 93." The names were listed at the end of the movie. Obsession over.

I need to premise this next thought with this: I don't care for chick flicks. Give me a good thriller or action movie and I'm happy. I do, however, like the movie "Hope Floats" with Sandra Bullock and Harry Connick, Jr. Well, Harry the Hottie sang the National Anthem while the Flight 93 families stood on the field with our military. Zambelli fireworks exploded from the river, the top of the stadium, and the field as I cried numerous tears in what was a very moving moment for me.

The game itself was a hard-fought nail-biter that eventually went into overtime. During the halftime show, Rod Woodson, former Steeler defensive back, was presented with his ring as part of his induction into the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Dan Rooney even flew in from Dublin to attend. When former Steeler Craig Wolfley announced him as "Mr. Ambassador," the crowd went wild...except for me. I have issues with that whole Dan Rooney/Obama lovefest. Nonetheless, it was nice to hear Woodson talk about his days in da 'burgh. He still loves the fans here.

The ride back to the car was chilly as there was a brisk breeze blowing across the river. Traffic wasn't as bad as we had anticipated when we left, and we made good time in getting back home. I haven't come dragging in at 2 a.m. for a loooong time, but it was well worth every second and every memory.

Thanks to The Emporer (my hubby's boss and cousin) for giving me and my hubby a night to remember. We won't forget our magical night...or the families in attendance.

9/11 -- Some of My Favorites

Today, on the eighth anniversary of the day that this country was brought face-to-face with true evil, I'd like to share some of my favorite things to come out of the aftermath. Pictures, words, and songs that continue to bring tears to my eyes and a prayer to my mind are what I'm posting here. May we all continue to remember those innocent people who lost their lives that day and also remember what our country used to be. God Bless you, and God bless this great nation.

Meet Me in the Stairwell

You say you will never forget where you were when you heard the news, September 11, 2001. Neither will I.

I was on the 110th floor in a smoke filled room with a man who called his wife to say “good-bye”. I held his fingers steady as he dialed. I gave him the peace to say, “Honey, I am not going to make it, but it is OK... I am ready to go”. I was with his wife when he called as she fed breakfast to their children.

I held her up as she tried to understand his words and as she realized that he wasn’t coming home that night.

I was in the stairwell on the 23rd floor when a woman cried out to me for help. “I have been knocking on the door of your heart for 50 years!” I said. “Of course I will show you the way home - only believe in Me now.”

I was at the base of the building with the Priest ministering to the injured and devastated souls. I took him home to tend to his Flock in Heaven. He heard my voice and answered.

I was on all four of those planes, in every seat, with every prayer. I was with the crew as they were overtaken. I was in the very hearts of the believers there. Comforting and assuring them that their Faith has saved them.

I was in Texas, Kansas, London. I was standing next to you when you heard the terrible news. Did you sense me? I want you to know that I saw every face. I knew every name - though NOT ALL know me. Some met me for the first time on the 86th floor. Some sought with their last breath. Some couldn’t hear me calling to them through the smoke and flames. “Come to me... This way.... Take my hand.”

Some chose, for the final time, to ignore me. But I WAS THERE.

I did not place you in the TOWERS that day. You may not know why, but I do. However, if you were there in that explosive moment in time, would you have reached for me?

September 11, 2001 was not the end of the journey for you. But someday your journey will end. And I will be there for you as well. Seek me now while I may be found. Then, at any moment, you know you are “ready to go”.

I will be in the stairwell of your final moments. Remember, I love you.

This song was written by The Clarks the day after 9/11 and was put on their CD "Another Happy Ending." The guys were working on the CD when 9/11 happened. It was their way of expressing their feelings in the aftermath of that fateful day.

Flight 93: A Powerful Tribute

With the eight-year anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on American soil fast approaching, I wanted to pay tribute to the heroes of United Flight 93. Shanksville is not far from where I live, so this aspect of that horrible day is very close to my heart.

I remember that day as one that started off in a typical manner. I got the boys up and out the door to school. While outside on the porch for a cig, I couldn't help but notice what a beautiful day it was. A cloudless sky with moderate temperatures. It was perfect.

I came inside when I heard the phone ring. It was my step-father. "Do you have the t.v. on? A plane just hit the World Trade Center." I tuned in just in time to see the second plane hit the towers.

We chatted briefly and decided to hang up and follow the events unfolding before our eyes. Minutes later, he called again to tell me that a plane had crashed near Somerset, Pennsylvania. My step-sister's husband was an EMT and had heard the news over the scanner. I felt violated and confused. My first reaction was to go get my boys from school. Should I? Do they really know how much I love them? Will they be safe? These thoughts consumed me. I prayed to God to keep them safe until they returned home.

As we got more news over the following days, I came to realize just what kind of special people were on that plane. The story of the soldiers who enlisted in mid-flight came to symbolize what makes this country great. Free people thinking free thoughts decided to take a stand and protect their beloved country from the evil that had overtaken the cockpit.

Unfortunately, the memorial now being built to honor those brave men and women is also going to remember the terrorists who killed 40 innocent people. There are too many symbolic references built into the design for me to go into, but I highly recommend the book Crescent of Betrayal: Dishonoring the Heroes of Flight 93. If you want a brief synopsis of the controversy, here is the link to the website. It'll keep the anger alive.

While I continue to pray for all the lives lost on that day (except for the terrorist dirtbags), I do not want their memory being put side by side with those who killed them. I found this great video tribute on youtube. As you watch, please remember those who fought and won the first battle against Islamic fascism.





Let's Roll.

The Flight 93 Memorial; Land May Be Taken

The government seems poised to grab the land for the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. While I feel that gouging the price for the land is a terrible act in and of itself (I would just donate the land to honor the heroes of that flight.), I have a very hard time justifying the use of government force to just take that sacred ground.

The National Parks Service, which falls under the Department of the Interior, wants to see the first phase completed by September 10, 2011, just in time for the 10th anniversary of that fateful day.

Shanksville represents our first victory in the war on terror. No fancy weapons, no well-thought-out plan. Just a group of heroes with love for their country and her people. They enlisted without any fanfare or expectation of medals; they knew their fate. They were determined not to let evil win.

The plans for the memorial have been very controversial. To view plans for the Flight 93 Memorial, go to www.nps.gov and follow the links to the Flight 93 Memorial. Part of the plans include a crescent (symbol of Islam) of red maples and a 93-foot "Tower of Voices" (I would suggest maybe similar to a prayer tower). I've also read and heard that a plaque honoring the flight will be part of the memorial, and, when one stands to read it, they will be facing Mecca. There is a book available called "Crescent of Betrayal" (I forget the author) that details just how subtle Islamic symbols are being integrated into the memorial.

If the design and what it represents is the sole reason for not wanting to part with the land, I back the landowners completely. The present design would be a slap in the face of the families, and the memory of their loved ones and what they gave would forever be skewed. Should the issue be "Let's see how much money we can get for this land", I'm very mixed. Shame on you if that is your reasoning. On the other hand, government has no business using eminent domain. It's a problem inside a dilemma wrapped in an enigma.

We will never forget. "Let's Roll"