I had a chance this weekend to see "The Flight that Fought Back," a documentary on United Flight 93 and the heroes who prevented another possible attack.
I'd mostly heard the story from Wheaton grads filled with pride regarding Todd Beamer's famous line, "Let's Roll."
But this time I heard it from the families of the passengers on the plane, and was struck by two things:
1. The gracious kindness God showed the U.S. by not allowing the plane to approach the Capital City or take additional lives. That these men and women prevented such a crisis may have played a major part in keeping the American spirit intact.
2. The gift of legacy. Because the passengers on United 93 took a chance and fought back, their families, friends, and fellow citizens are able remember them not as victims, but as heroes.
I know that God's kindness to us is evidenced in many other ways throughout this tragedy, and that there are countless other heroes, and I'm grateful to Him for revealing a few of them to me.
On that day in 2001 I was just starting out as a teacher, as green as they come. It was my second day of school and we were just getting started when the Headmaster knocked on our door and told me what had happened. I was to announce it to the class and then we all went into the chapel to watch everything unfold. I stuttered through trying to explain it to my 9th and 10th graders, watching their world transform as mine was too. We left our memories of safe America behind and walked into the chapel, where we saw the towers fall and wondered out loud whether they would go after the Hancock building.
That afternoon we were sent back to class and I was supposed to teach drama. We were working on As You Like It, by Shakespeare, but it didn't feel right reading comedy on such a dark day.
So we went outside, to the sidewalk next to the grassy lots behind the school where a grove of sumac trees grew happily, a place that was green and buzzing and alive and hopeful. We sat in a circle and we prayed.
I will never be able to disconnect 9/11 with my students of that year. I hope, wherever they are, that they will stop and pray, that God will reveal His kindness to them, and that He will grow us all to be heroes for His sake.
8 comments:
Actually...there have been many who believe the plane was actually shot down by the government
I have read that too. The recorded conversation Beamer had with Lisa Jefferson indicates my post. Either way, I believe God was gracious to protect what may have been an even more devastating assault on our Capital. As Todd said, we need to "go out on faith."
You MUST see United 93, which came out on DVD a week ago. It is brutal, harrowing, and probably the best movie of the year.
It's shot documentary-style, with no famous faces and, in many cases, actual participants (air traffic controllers, etc.) playing themselves.
It is the scariest film I have ever seen, but it was well worth viewing, if you think you can stand it. The final revolt of the passengers, while blunt, violent and intense, is also surprisingly stirring.
These normal, average people died with incredible honor and valor, the first warriors of the War on Terror. United 93 is a fitting tribute.
That was lovely, Mrs. J.
I also recommend Flight 93- it was wonderful. Exausting, though. Be prepared.
Who in the world is saying that the plane was shot down?
dear sister, i think you are the greatest teacher ever. i wish i could have been in a class where my teacher knew when to pray, even at the cost of a play practice. i know your students appreciate you hard work for them. i love you.
Thanks ya'll. Aw Boo!
Huck, if you look up United 93 on snopes.com they do briefly entertain that theory, but even Snopes says that there was definitely a struggle based on the recorded conversations and Newsweek's "What Really Happened," story.
I'll work up my courage to see United 93.
I remember that day. I didn't even know what the twin towers were before then.
The Weston where we did As You Like It was recently shut down by the health department. The basement/backstage was full of black mold. No wonder we all got sick, but it still was fun.
Hey Roxy!
That is awful about the black mold. Poor kids! And here I thought all we had to worry about were dangerous neighborhoods and scary transients howling at us through the walls. Ah, memories.
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