Whether Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist — whether fundamentalist or radical, conservative or liberal — we all got up the next morning asking, "WHY?" Some who survived the attacks are asking, "Why me and not them?" or "Why them and not me?" Many are asking why God allowed such a horrible thing to happen. Some are asking, "If there's a God and he truly is sovereign and loving, why didn't he do something to stop it?!?"

And which God?? The hijackers killed thousands of people in the name of their god! The Judeo-Christian God appears to have been too busy or not strong enough to stop it — or maybe he just didn't care and looked the other way! And so they ask, "How can I believe in a God who would kill so many for no reason, or a God who would allow so many to be killed?"

Many lost so much more than friends or family that day. They lost respect for God... they lost their love for Him... they lost their awe of Him... they lost God. And now... here we are a year later — and we still don't have the answers.

Yes, the face of God changed on September 11th... even for those of us who believe.

Others look to us for answers. They don't understand how we can continue to believe in a sovereign, compassionate God who would allow such tragedies. But I think that faith in a compassionate, omnipotent, omniscient God isn't about having the answers. It's about learning to live with the questions — and trusting Him to know the answers. If we truly believe that God is as big as we believe He is, then it may even be pretentious for us to try to understand. As I heard one man say, "Whatever God's plan is and was and shall be — simply is... and was... and shall be. We cannot question it because there are no other answers."

This memorial newsletter is not meant to provide answers. It's simply my way of paying respect to those who lost so much that year and to those who have sacrificed so much since then for our freedom. Thank you for allowing me to share my tears, my hopes, my prayers, and my thoughts with you!

As you read and share this newsletter, I pray that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (And if you don't know that peace, I pray that you'll write and give me an opportunity to introduce you to the Prince of Peace!)

Your sister & servant in Christ,
Linda

Within a half-hour, as everyone was speculating about what had happened — an accident? an attack? who? what? why? — a second hijacked jetliner flew directly into the second tower of the World Trade Center.

As we struggled to understand and frantically searched for answers, we heard that a third hijacked jetliner had crashed into the Pentagon, the heart and soul of America's military.

Then it was clear: America was under attack! All commercial flights were cancelled, all jetliners were grounded, and America's Air Force quickly mobilized and took command of America's air space.

Later, we heard that another jetliner had crashed into a field in Pennsylvania. Although everyone theorized about its role in the drama that was unfolding in New York City and Washington, DC, we didn't find out until much later that the passengers on that jetliner thwarted the hijackers' plans to crash into another building. Had it not been for the heroics of those passengers, we can only surmise what other target(s) the hijackers might have struck.

As everyone across America and around the world watched — as we were just beginning to assimilate what had happened — we gasped in horror as the first tower suddenly crumpled to the ground, spewing a huge cloud of volcanic-like ash for miles. Some time later, the second tower crumpled to the ground, devouring everything in its path.

Words failed us then — and words fail us now. There is no way anyone can explain how we felt as we watched the towers collapse... as we watched helplessly while thousands of our fellow Americans were murdered before our very eyes!

On that day, the terrorists murdered 266 people on the four jetliners, 189 in the Pentagon, and about 3000 employees, visitors, and emergency personnel at the World Trade Center. Those evil cowards had deliberately murdered thousands of innocent people who had done nothing to them!

The people on the jetliners, inside the twin towers and the Pentagon, and the rescue workers who raced to the scene had absolutely nothing to do with America's Mideast policies. But did that concern the terrorists? No! They had a point to make, and they made it.

Or did they...? What was their point? Was it to frighten us out of the Middle East? They should have known that wouldn't work. Was it to show the world how self-centered and materialistic Americans are? They didn't have to commit suicide and murder to make that point! There's an abundant supply of violent and pornographic materials being exported to their countries that made the argument against America's morality a moot point.

Did they think they would bring us to our knees?

Well, that's exactly what happened — but not in the way the terrorists wanted or expected. All across America and around the world, people of faith fell to their knees crying out to God for mercy... for answers... for comfort... and for justice.

And when the dust and smoke from the wreckage finally settled... when we began the slow, difficult task of searching through the rubble for survivors and later for bodies... as we wiped away the tears and tried to comfort and encourage one another... when at last, we stood to our feet again... we stood stronger, we stood more noble and courageous, we stood resolute, and we stood united — one nation of multicultural, multinational, multiracial, multiethnic, multilingual, and multiskilled AMERICANS!

To the thousands of innocent victims who were murdered that day and to the hundreds of heroes who gave their lives, we promise... you will not be forgotten!

To everyone who risked their lives to rescue another... to the medical personnel who mobilized to help... to the stores and restaurants that donated meals and showers and clothing... to the hundreds of homeless people who gave their extra clothing to anyone who needed it... and to all who volunteered in big ways and in small all around the world, a grateful nation says... thank you!

Yes... on September 11, 2001 we witnessed the most graphic examples of the contrast between good and evil. On that day, the worst of humanity came up against the best of humanity. How do our hearts and minds rationalize and reconcile one group of people, so possessed by evil that they would die in order to murder innocent victims — and another group of people, so decent and dedicated and caring that they would sacrifice their lives in order to save the lives of others?

The twin towers of the World Trade Center were places of employment for approximately 50,000 people. However, with the list of dead or missing at approximately 2,236 people, that means that 96% of the people in the World Trade Center survived the attack!

Approximately 23,000 people were the target of a third jetliner aimed at the Pentagon. The confirmed count shows that 189 lost their lives. That's an amazing 99.5% survival rate!

In addition, the plane apparently came in too low and struck too soon to affect a large portion of the building. And on top of that, the section that was hit was the first of five sections to undergo renovations that would help protect the Pentagon from terrorist attacks. It had recently completed straightening and blast-proofing, saving untold lives.

Certainly, this attack was sad, but it was a statistical failure!

This Boeing 757 that was flown into the Pentagon should have carried up to 289 passengers and crew; and yet only 64 were aboard — 78% of the seats were empty!

This Boeing 767 could have had up to 351 passengers and crew aboard, but only carried 92. Thankfully, 74% of the seats were empty!

Another Boeing 767 that could have sat 351 passengers and crew only had 65 people on board — 81% empty!

This Boeing 757 was one of the most uplifting stories yet. The smallest flight to be hijacked with only 45 people aboard (out of a possible 289), had 84% of its capacity empty. And yet... these people stood up to the attackers and thwarted a fourth attempted destruction of a national landmark, saving untold numbers of lives in the process.

Out of approximately 74,280 Americans directly targeted by these inept cowards, 93% survived or avoided the attacks! That's a higher survival rate than heart attacks, breast cancer, kidney transplants, and liver transplants — all of which are common, survivable illnesses.

The hijacked planes were mostly empty... the Pentagon was hit at its strongest point... 96% of people in the World Trade Center buildings escaped... and a handful of passengers gave the ultimate sacrifice to save even more lives!

In short, don't fear those cowardly terrorists! The odds are against them!!

In just a few weeks, the Jewish community will celebrate the Harvest Festival by building "sukkah".

What is a "sukkah"? Just a fragile hut with a leafy roof, the most vulnerable of houses. Vulnerable in time, where it lasts for only a week each year. Vulnerable in space, where its roof must be, not only leafy, but leaky — letting in the starlight, and gusts of wind and rain.

In the evening prayers, we plead with God — "Ufros alenu sukkat shlomekha" — "Spread over all of us Your sukkah of shalom." Why a sukkah? Why does the prayer plead to God for a "sukkah of shalom" rather than God's "tent" or "house" or "palace" of peace?

It is a week of incomprehension. To say that there are no words to describe the tragedy our nation is facing is an understatement: It is beyond words, beyond thoughts... even beyond the darkest of nightmares. As I watched the definition of reality on Tuesday, September eleventh, shift to a new horrifying extreme, I discovered exactly what it is to look on the face of death. To see evil.

The planes that smashed against and into the steel towers we knew as the World Trade Center have stripped us of so many things. To my fellow students of Western Illinois University, and those around the country: I know your pain. I may not know how you feel, be it anger, ache, disbelief, or numbness, but I know how deeply it stings inside to see things we have taken for granted shattered before your eyes.

To those who are forced to push their mourning aside and continue on each day, in Congress, the armed forces, and at the workplace: Thank you for letting 50 white stars and 13 stripes rise above all else and show that we are the United States of America. To show that as a nation we embrace in love, revel in victory, and console, comfort, and bear together the scars of disaster and tragedy. And to show that together, nothing will stop us from staying strong and united.

As we look at these images and pray for them and others like them, we should also rejoice... because these are images of victory, too. Prior to 9.11.01, these people had no hope. Now, because America and our allies are fighting back — and winning — hope has returned to Afghanistan!

Former Afghan King Mohammad Zaher Shah (center left) is escorted by interim Afghan leader Hamid Karzai as he leaves the tomb of his father. Zaher Shar returned to Afghanistan from Rome on April 18, 2002 after 29 years in exile in Rome.

It's important to remember, too, that not all Muslims want to destroy America or our values. In the photo on the right, U.S. Navy members Kennedy McGruder and Russell A. Scott, both American Muslims, pray in a mosque at the American military compound at Kandahar Airport.