On 911

Each year on September 11, our generations pause to remember the events that took place in 2001 when Islamic terrorists hijacked planes and using them as bombs took down the twin towers of the World Trade Center in NYC, struck the Pentagon in Washington DC and drove one plane into the ground in Pennsylvania as that flights crew and passengers fought back. And each year pipers are called upon to assist in the memorial events. As pipers we are called to perform at memorials of loved ones now departed. What an amazing honor that must be! I lift my hat (glengarry) to the families on those lost in the attacks, to the responders who aid and the pipers who played.

There is a story, reported by Joel Meyerowitz, professional photographer who chronicled the recovery work on the Trade Center site: In March 2002 as crews sifted through the piles of debris, firefighter found a portion of a Bible fused to a chuck of steel. The page that remains visible is from the Gospel of Mathew from Jesus Sermon on the Mount and reads: “Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.” How amazing that something God’s scripture might survive the fall on an entire building and survive.


Amazing Grace
Lyrics: John Newton; Tune: Unknown

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...
my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear...
the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...
we have already come.
T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...
and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be...
as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...
bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise...
then when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me....
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now, I see.