Yes, it does happen … a time when I simply don’t know what to say. Or perhaps it is my age showing and I realize that there are times it is better to say nothing than to manufacture prose that comes off feeling contrived. Today, September 11th felt like one of those days to me.

I remember like it was yesterday. It was the first few days of First Grade for my daughter so looking at a high schooler now makes me realize how long ago that was. It was a terrible day for those of us who were glued to the TV. For me it began about the time the second aircraft hit and lasted until long after both buildings had crashed to the ground.

It was a tragic day in our history for sure because of the huge loss of life. And life is something that we as a people, at least, do value.

I decided a more fitting tribute to those who gave so much eight years ago would be listening in on a few other industry writers who I think said it all and did so much better than I.

Here are their names and the links to their blogs.

One I’d like to begin with is at John Carr’s place, The Main Bang. John reprinted a wonderful speech given by then NATCA Executive Vice President Ruth Marlin to commemorate the first anniversary of 9/11. Ruth is currently in a heated race for controller’s union president with Paul Rinaldi.

At Flightbloggger, Jon Ostrower was more successful than I at at finding some words of meaning although his struggle is clear.

Brett Snyder, the Cranky Flier posted not only the names of all the crew members who lost their lives aboard the four aircraft that clear September morning, but a haunting still photo of the Pentagon’s remembrance memorial.

The slogan “We Must Never Forget,” to me seems somewhat awkwardly placed today. How could we ever forget September 11th, anymore than December 7th, 1941. But we must go on.

Rob Mark

Provided by permission of Jetwhine.com.