I've posted this here because we're all "New Yorkers" at this time of rememberence of the tragedies of Sept. 11. Please forgive me for possibly posting it in the wrong forum, but this is "Community", and our FT community, as diverse as it is, is still a part of the world that was affected by the WTC, and the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania.
I am a New Yorker (born in Brooklyn), and I watched the WTC being built through the years, then passed it on my way to and from work for many years after that. On that fateful day last year, I was recovering from major surgery, when my wife awakened me at 9 AM to tell me of the first plane crash into the WTC.
We watched in horror as the terrible events unfolded, and my tears fell often that day, and still do as I watch the media recall Sept. 11. I don't fault them for reporting again and again for all the world to see the horror of it all. I wish though, that they wouldn't call it "an anniversary", as I've always thought of an anniversary to be a joyous, happy time, and this of course, is not. It is a time for rememberence, and solemness, and thoughtfullnes, just as remembering Pearl Harbor, and other devastating events, but not an anniversary, as I know that term.
This came in an email from a friend, shortly after 9/11/01, and if you've seen it before, I apologize in advance. In any case, it still holds true.
In a sense, we are all New Yorkers.

God Bless America.


I AM A NEW YORKER
>
> >
>
> > I am a New Yorker
>
> > I do not live in the five boroughs or on the Island or Upstate
>
> > I may live hundreds or thousands of miles away
>
> > Or I may live just over the GW Bridge
>
> > But I am a New Yorker
>
> >
>
> > I am a New Yorker
>
> > Whatever took me out of New York:
>
> > Business, family or hating the cold
>
> > did not take New York out of me.
>
> > My accent may have faded and my pace may have slowed
>
> > But I am a New Yorker
>
> >
>
> > I am a New Yorker
>
> > I was raised on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Rockefeller
Plaza,
>
> > The Yankees or the Mets (Giants or Dodgers)
>
> > Jones Beach or Rye Beach or one of the beaches on the sound
(Orchard
>Beach)
>
> > I know that "THE END" means Montauk.
>
> > Because I am a New Yorker
>
> >
>
> > I am a New Yorker
>
> > When I go on vacation, I never look up
>
> > Skyscrapers are something I take for granted
>
> > The Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty are part of me
>
> > Taxis and noise and subways and "get outa heah" don't rattle me
>
> > Because I am a New Yorker
>
> >
>
> > I am a New Yorker
>
> > I was raised on cultural diversity before it was politically correct

>
> > I eat Greek food and Italian food, Jewish and Middle Eastern food
and
>
> > Chinese food
>
> > Because they are all American food to me.
>
> > I don't get mad when people speak other languages in my presence
>
> > Because my relatives got to this country via Ellis Island and chose
to
>stay
>
> > They were New Yorkers
>
> >
>
> > I am a New Yorker
>
> > People who have never been to New York have misunderstood me
>
> > My friends and family work in the industries, professions and
businesses
>that
>
> > benefit all Americansl
>
> > My firefighters died trying to save New Yorkers and non-New Yorkers
>
> > They died trying to save Americans and non-Americans
>
> > Because they were New Yorkers.
>
> >
>
> > I am a New Yorker
>
> > I feel the pain of my fellow New Yorkers
>
> > I mourn the loss of my beautiful city
>
> > I feel and dread that New York will never be the same
>
> > But then I remember:
>
> > I am a New Yorker
>
> >
>
> > And New Yorkers have:
>
> > Tenacity, strength and courage way above the norm
>
> > Compassion and caring for our fellow citizens
>
> > Love and pride in our city, in our state, in our country

>
> > Intelligence, experience and education par excellence
>
> > Ability, dedication and energy above and beyond
>
> > Faith--no matter what religion we practice
>
> >
>
> > Terrorists hit America in its heart
>
> > But America's heart still beats strong
>
> > Demolish the steel in our buildings, but it doesn't touch the steel
in
>our
>
> > souls
>
> > Hit us in the pocketbook; but we'll parlay what we have left into a
>fortune
>
> > End innocent lives leaving widows and orphans, but we'll take care
of
>them
>
> > Because they are New Yorkers
>
> >
>
> > Wherever we live, whatever we do, whoever we are
>
> > There are New Yorkers in every state and every city of this nation
>
> > We will not abandon our city
>
> > We will not abandon our brothers and sisters
>
> > We will not abandon the beauty, creativity and diversity that New
York
>
> > represents
>
> > Because we are New Yorkers
>
> > And we are proud to be New Yorkers
>
> > "REMEMBER THE WTC"
>

NEVER FORGET.