WORLD PAUSES TO REMEMBER THOSE LOST ON THAT TRAGIC DAY

It’s hard to believe it’s been eight years since that tragic, awful day that forever changed American history, September 11, 2001.

On Friday, the world will pause to remember the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in New York, Washington, and Shanksville, Penn. during the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

First there is a moment of silence at 8:46, the time when the first jet slammed into the North Tower. Then, church bells toll throughout the city, an apt reminder of a day when many Americans went to houses of worship to pray.

Forty-seven minutes later comes a second moment of silence for when the South Tower was struck.

Names of the victims are read by family members and volunteers. Then the ceremony ends with taps, the haunting bugle call.

“It’s goose-bump time for a lot of us; tears for others,” says Doug Muzzio, a professor at Baruch College, City University.

At the ceremony, which takes place Friday at the site of the former towers, the Obama administration will be represented by Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden, as well as Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. [Christian Science Monitor]

As I wrote last year, there was a lot of raw emotion on that day. It was different for everyone, yet somehow the same. But it was, and still is, difficult to express in words what that day was like.

For me, it was an unlikely figure who accurately captured that emotion and offered healing to a heartbroken America.

Only six days after the horrific terrorist attacks, Cardinals’ Hall of Fame broadcaster Jack Buck — himself dying of Parkinson’s disease — stepped onto the field at Busch Stadium in front of thousands of silent fans waving American flags, welcoming the distraction brought by the return of sports, and delivered a powerful, poignant, patriotic poem that I will never forget.

“Since this nation was founded … under God
More than 200 years ago
We have been the bastion of freedom
The light that keeps the free world aglow
We do not covet the possessions of others
We are blessed with the bounty we share.

We have rushed to help other nations
… anything … anytime … anywhere.

War is just not our nature
We won’t start … but we will end the fight
If we are involved we shall be resolved
To protect what we know is right.

We have been challenged by a cowardly foe
Who strikes and then hides from our view.

With one voice we say, “There is no choice today,
There is only one thing to do.

Everyone is saying — the same thing — and praying
That we end these senseless moments we are living.

As our fathers did before … we shall win this unwanted war
And our children … will enjoy the future … we’ll be giving.”

His voice cracks as he utters the final words of the poem. His eyes are watery. So are the eyes of everyone in the stadium. Tears are shed. Then, following a poignant “21-gun” salute sprinkled with exploding fireworks above the stadium, the game begins with players wearing U.S. flags on their jerseys, helmets and caps.

Amen, Jack Buck. Amen. We will never forget.