That morning started with getting my husband’s 80-year-old sister on a 6 a.m. direct flight from Great Falls, Mont., (where we lived) back to Orlando, Fla., (where Emma lived - she had been visiting us for two weeks). No TV in our shop with the dangerous equipment, was our rule. The phone starts ringing - it is Emma’s sons immediately shouting “WHERE IS MOM?!!!” “What?” … [Read more...]
Reflections on 9/11
September 11, 2001 was a Tuesday just like any other and only a few days in to my fifth grade year at Kingsland Elementary School in small town Spring Valley, Minn. I remember it was still early in the morning, the sun shining through our eastern facing windows between the tree branches and the blinds, and my class was working on either a test or an assignment, all of us … [Read more...]
Reflections on 9/11
September 11, 2001, started as usual then turned into a day like none other. I was a city carrier for USPS in Stewartville at the time. The postmaster received a phone call while we were all in the office casing mail and sorting parcels for the day, about the first tower. He turned the TV on while we all listened in stunned silence as we went about our duties. Once I started … [Read more...]
Reflections on 9/11
On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was preparing to leave the hospital in Rochester with my newborn daughter. She was born two days prior on September 9 and we were filled with excitement to have a new child joining our other two children at home. As I was packing my bag and getting ready to take my baby home, I had a morning news show on the television and they showed … [Read more...]
Reflections on 9/11
Dave and I were in Collierville, Tenn., to visit our son Troy, his wife Mary Beth and our five grandchildren. Because of the attack we were able to take care of our 9-month-old granddaughter Annalise and our 4-year-old grandson Phillip while Troy and Mary Beth, Will - 11, Thomas - 9 and John - 7 went to Mass to pray for our country and its citizens. It was a tragic event … [Read more...]
Reflections on 9/11
I was in class at Regis High School in Eau Claire, Wis., on 9/11. The history teacher, Mr. Snyder, came over the intercom and announced that there was an attack on the Twin Towers. I felt uneasy and wondered if we were going to war. Nicole Bush Chatfield, Minn. … [Read more...]
One Moment, Please… Twenty years later
As we approach the 20-year mark since the 9/11 attack, it is still fresh in my mind like other events throughout my life. And, I know I’m not alone. That’s why we asked readers to share their stories in today’s Fillmore County Journal. It’s as fresh in my memory as when I saw the Space Shuttle Challenger explode after lift-off on January 28, 1986. I was 12 years old at the … [Read more...]
The day we become silent
Catherine Glynn Lanesboro, MN It’s been said, “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” In light of that, I’m choosing to speak out. During Lanesboro’s most recent Buffalo Bill Days, someone stole our Black Lives Matter sign. For some of you reading this, you might be thinking, “good riddance.” I especially urge you to keep reading. To … [Read more...]
Creating a sense of belonging in southern Minnesota
Many of us who grew up in, or currently live in, rural Minnesota know that there is something about our communities that fosters a sense of belonging. It might be that the nature of small towns makes it easier to get to know people, or that festivals, historic downtowns and beautiful natural landscape provide a way to feel connected to a place. However, everyone has had moments … [Read more...]
Lessons from 9/11 that Congress could learn
Most Americans alive 20 years ago remember where they were on September 11, 2001. They remember the airplane hijackings, the attacks, and the collapse of the Twin Towers. They remember the nearly 3,000 who perished. As our nation refocuses on that searing event, it will be tempting to pay attention to the lessons we’ve learned in the decades since when it comes to dealing … [Read more...]