SIx months ago on September 11th, 2001, everyone's lives changed forever.

Seeing all the tributes on TV and in the papers, the reflective stories, all that brought back a lot of painful memories and then something special: remembering how the events of that tragic day brought US, the FLYERTALKERS TOGETHER as we reached out to make sure everyone was ok. (PremEx's "Flyertalk Roll Call" thread:"

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/001354.html

A lot of people here helped me deal with the emotions of that time (I was on teh job and saw it all unfold, Live and dramatic) Thank you all for "saving" me.

SO I thought on this six month Mark (I can't call it an anniversary -- anniversaries I assume are for year mark and years marks) that everyone take a few moments and CALL A FLYERTALKER JUST TO SAY HI AND THANK THEM FOR WHATEVER SPECIAL OR SMALL THING THEY DID TO MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER.

If long distance is a problem, drop an e-mail. OR even POST HERE!

This is just a thought. After the rough patches of the past few weeks on the boards, I thought this is something that can bring us all together in a positive manner.

Thanks for reading.

OMNI: I am going to a benefit for the UA/AA flight attendants tonight but hope to drop in CHAT later to say MEOW again.


[This message has been edited by Catman (edited 03-11-2002).]

What a thoughtful idea, Catdude. I vividly remember wondering and worrying about all my FT friends and acquaintances that day. I would like to publicly thank YOU, Catman, for all of your kindnesses and for always being there throughout the past very trying 18 months of my Life...

And on a brighter note, my youngest grandson, Parker, was born on 9-11-01. In the midst of our national sorrow, new Life, new possibilities, and the comfort of knowing that Life DOES go on...

Tonight I SAW THE LIGHT.

I returned from a business trip/flyertalk breakfast-dinner meeting tonight-March 11, 2002.

I flew UA #16 that was scheduled to arrive JFK at 11:15pm (2315). As luck would have it, we had a tail wind. This would be important.

When I boarded, I new and was aware of the new, temporary, memorial beams that would begin their 1 month of shining 88 beams of light into the air at Ground Zero.

And the lights were to be shut down at 11pm.

This 3 class trascon was full in first and in business; (we did have menus), and 80% empty in the back.

I was listening in to channel 9. There are several approaches to JFK. As luck would have it, tonight we flew 'direct LaGuadia'. Basically that meant we sort of cut a path directly over the city.

At first you couldn't 'see the light'. But as we go closer, and then directly over 'the light', everyone stretched their heads out the right side of the plane to get as near perfect a view as you would want to have.
By the way, the seat belt sign was on. We were at roughly 8000 feet (2600 meters).

I can't describe it in words. But suffice it to say I was speechless.

As a New Yorker I looked forward to seeing the beams from the air. Until tonight, I was DEAD SET against these lights. I know where the WTC was. I don't need to be reminded. But after seeing this from the sky, those beams took on a whole new meaning. The beams serve as a temporary reminder (as if we really need it), of what happened 6 months ago today. September 11, 2001.

I think those lights are IT. Brilliant concept.

No matter how I look at the lights, I can't think another memorial would be as vibrant, touching, elegant, simple, timeless.

They should be permanent.

[This message has been edited by Droneklax (edited 03-11-2002).]

It's hard to believe that it's already been 6 months. I shed a tear when I saw the ceremonies today on CNN especially when the police officer was singing. There a lot of us who have lost and those of us who are glad to be alive. I am thankful that my close family and friends are still here and say prayers constantly for those that have been lost.

Everybody had a loss that day whether it was a loved one or state of mind. All of us are making strides to come to normalcy again. I'll be flying home this weekend and I hope that I'll be able to see the lights on my flightpath back to Kennedy.

Talk to a Flyertalker, call a friend.... Just do something to remember.

dhammer53, the lights looked incredible on television. I can only imagine what they looked like in person.

[This message has been edited by PremEx (edited 03-12-2002).]

march-11-2002:
UA flight DEN-IAH

when boarding, the agent, controling identity and boarding pass, hugs EVERYONE! and everyone loved it!

I can see the lights from my apt in Queens (though they merge into 1 beam). On at 7, off at 11. A great tribute.

I can see the lights from my window and they are awesome.

I too can see the blue light right from my window....very strong indeed. Like a light up into heaven.

Catman, did you get into the event last night? I heard it was sold out.

If so how was it?

Trojan: the lights event was sold out a few weeks ago but I did get into THIS event, which also was sold out with People waiting outside to get in:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum81/HTML/002611.html

They replayed the light ceremony on one of the local cable channels and indeed it was incredible. It should be permanent.

I was just down there today. I walked up from the WhiteHall subway station. I saw where the Sphere sculpture used to be, and where it is now. I walked the entire perimeter of the WTC, as close as would be allowed. I saw the lights but they are not going to be on until later. My first trip down there since before 9-11. I went into the Winter Court though you can only go along the bottom of one side of it. They have two restaurants open there. There are lots of tourists down there with cameras. I didn't feel the urge to take any photos since saw enough the first time but to each his own. You couldn't see much though, except for all of the tributes, but it made me feel a little better to see the area being reborn. I love those lights and will look for them from my house tonight but might be too far.

Catman, great thread. I saw the lights memorial yesterday.... very impressive.

And thanks to you, amigo, and all the other FTers that have done so much for not only my mileage balances but (more importantly) for making my move into my new NY home really special.

------------------
Gaucho100K

Wonderful and poignant thread Catman

Or maybe even resurrect posting on this thread: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum95/HTML/001302.html

Amen!

[This message has been edited by cblaisd (edited 03-12-2002).]