SHAKEN TO THE BONE...

Dawn Boyle

Over the past few weeks I noticed a number of people sharing the post below on their social media outlets.



At first I thought "this is a virus". There could be no way that the people who risked their lives on September 11,  2001 and every day they worked since would be shut out of the memorial.
The claims in the message are true and have been confirmed by a number of credible news reports. An August 16 report published on UPI.com notes:

NEW YORK, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- First responders who rushed to the disaster scene on Sept. 11, 2001, are not invited to this year's memorial service at Ground Zero, New York officials confirm.

The service is scheduled for Sept. 11, 10 years after the terror attacks.

In a statement, a spokesman for New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Andrew Brent, said the memorial is for victims' families, CNN reported.

An August 17 Fox News report concurs, noting:

New York – They were the first ones on the scene when the World Trade Center towers fell on September 11, 2001, but ten years later, the first responders are being told that they will not be invited to take part in this year's tenth anniversary ceremony at Ground Zero.

The city announced earlier this week that due to security and space issues, there would be no room for the first responders.

What a disgrace to those brave men and women who risked their lives and health to respond to the events that occured that day. New York officials claim that the 10th Anniversary memorial ceremony will focus on the families of victims. New York Mayoral spokesman, Andrew Brent stated that "given the space constraints, we're working to find ways to recognize and honor first responders, and other groups, at different places and times."

Official invitations have not be sent to first responders in previous years, they were still free to attend memorial ceremonies if they desired and thousands have done so. This, the 10 year memorial is reportedly the first year in which first responders have been officially advised that they are not invited to the event.

This story gives me a pit in my stomach. I am thankful for all the people who rushed into those buildings, while others were desperately trying to get out. I think of all the people in my life that have lost a husband, father, brother or friend that were there on that day. All they did to help and this is the thanks we give to the others "left behind:"?

Something has to be done...we need to make sure these hero's know not all New Yorkers or even Americans agree with Bloomberg and other officials that have made this decision.

BIN LADEN KILLED

Dawn Boyle

My blood runs red, white and blue. I am truly proud to be American, not only today...everyday. I am torn with emotions with the news over the death of that animal that attempted to destroy my country nearly ten years ago.

I had fallen asleep early last night to the Real Housewives of the OC and woke up to make my first of many nightly trips to the bathroom and when I got back into bed Andy Cohen was announcing that bin Laden was killed. I felt a rush of heat throughout my entire body. The images and fear I felt that morning, not knowing the safety of my husband and a number of friends and family. I was lucky that day as I held my two month old daughter. My husband did escape the horrors that occurred and would only find out in the days later the people who had touched my life that were not that lucky.

Everyone has a story of 9/11. Everyone remembers the unity of the entire country the days, weeks and months that followed. The new fears for our children, the heightened security, the War on Terror and all the men and women who bravely fight for our country.We all learned that day how life can change in a moment. We learned that you can go to work where you sit behind a desk or fight fires and not come home. We learned the true meaning of evil and how we could be paralyzed by some sick bastards with distorted views who masterminded such destruction. We learned how incredibly vulnerable we all really are.

May 1, 2011 will be remembered as the day Justice was Served. God Bless America, it's gonna be an interesting time ahead. We must NEVER FORGET. We must remember all the victims, from that day and all the days that followed, especially the CHILDREN OF 9/11. We must stay the course and be PROUD TO BE AMERICAN.

Osama bin Laden has been killed!

It has been reported that Al-Qaida mastermind Osama bin Laden is dead!

The Associated Press has reported this as of 11:17pm May 1, 2011, 

as have all other major news networks.  

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Let us pause to remember how our world was changed in an instant.  How so many lives were lost on 9/11/01 and in all the days since those horrific events.  The men and women who serve our country and continue to make the ultimate sacrifice for all of us and our freedom. 

GOD BLESS ALL THOSE WHOSE LIVES WERE TAKEN OR FOREVER CHANGED!

GOD BLESS & PROTECT ALL THOSE WHO SERVE OUR COUNTRY! (Now more then ever!)

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

NEVER, NEVER FORGET!

UNITED WE STAND!

Though we are many, though we are diverse, though we have different faiths

 and views; Democrats, Republicans and otherwise...

we are Americans and we will stand united, one nation under God!