Very poignant poetry by Erin Starr.

Great opinion piece originally written in the Vietnam era but just as true today...

Lyrics for "Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American)" by Toby Keith.
You can listen to a sample of this song



Courtesy of the Red, White, & Blue (The Angry American)(Toby Keith)


American Girls and American Guys
We’ll always stand up and salute
We’ll always recognize
When we see Old Glory Flying
There’s a lot of men dead
So we can sleep in peace at night
When we lay down our head

My daddy served in the army
Where he lost his right eye
But he flew a flag out in our yard
Until the day that he died
He wanted my mother, my brother, my sister and me
To grow up and live happy
In the land of the free.

Now this nation that I love
Has fallen under attack
A mighty sucker punch came flyin’ in
From somewhere in the back
Soon as we could see clearly
Through our big black eye
Man, we lit up your world
Like the 4th of July

Hey Uncle Sam
Put your name at the top of his list
And the Statue of Liberty
Started shakin’ her fist
And the eagle will fly
Man, it’s gonna be hell
When you hear Mother Freedom
Start ringin’ her bell
And it feels like the whole wide world is raining down on you
Brought to you Courtesy of the Red White and Blue

Justice will be served
And the battle will rage
This big dog will fight
When you rattle his cage
And you’ll be sorry that you messed with
The U.S. of A.
`Cause we`ll put a boot in your ass
It`s the American way

Hey Uncle Sam
Put your name at the top of his list
And the Statue of Liberty
Started shakin’ her fist
And the eagle will fly
Man, it’s gonna be hell
When you hear Mother Freedom
Start ringin’ her bell
And it feels like the whole wide world is raining down on you
Brought to you Courtesy of the Red White and Blue

©2002 Tokeco Tunes (BMI)

Where Were You
Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
that September day?
Out in the yard with your wife and children;
Or working on some stage in L.A.?
Did you stand there in shock at the sight of that black smoke
Rising against that blue sky?
Did you shout out in anger in fear for your neighbor
Or did you just sit down and cry?

Did you weep for the children
that lost their dear loved ones?
Did you pray for the ones who don't know?
Did you rejoice for the people who walked from the rubble
and sob for the ones left below?
Did you burst out in pride for the red white and blue
And the heroes who died just doin' what they do?
Did you look up to heaven for some kind of answer?
And look at yourself for what really matters?

(Chorus)
I'm just a singer of simple songs;
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference
in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love.

Where were you when the world stopped turning
That September day?
Teaching a class full of innocent children;
Driving down some cold interstate?
Did you feel guilty 'cause you're a survivor
in a crowded room did you feel alone?
Did you call up your mother and tell her you love her?
Did you dust off that bible at home?

Did you open your eyes hope it never happened;
And close your eyes and not go to sleep?
Did you notice the sunset the first time in ages;
Or speak to some stranger on the street?
Did you lay down at night and think of tomorrow;
Go out and buy you a gun?
Did you turn off that violent old movie you're watchin'
And turn on "I Love Lucy" reruns?

Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers?
Stand in line and give your own blood?
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family
Thank God you had somebody to love?

(Chorus)
I'm just a singer of simple songs;
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference
in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love.

I'm just a singer of simple songs;
I'm not a real political man
I watch CNN, but I'm not sure I can tell you the difference
in Iraq and Iran
But I know Jesus and I talk to God
And I remember this from when I was young
Faith, Hope and Love are some good things He gave us
And the greatest is Love.
And the greatest is Love.
And the greatest is Love.

Where were you when the world stopped turnin'
that September day?

©2001 EMI Music / Tri-Angels Music (ASCAP)

Hopefully some of this resources will be helpful to some of you...

webArchivist.org is working with The Internet Archive in collaboration with the Library of Congress to identify and archive pages and sites related to the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on September 11, 2001. "We want to be sure that there is a solid historical record of this time. We are asking for volunteers to help us identify any web sites or pages that have information or content about the Sep11 Attack. We are especially interested in finding sites by individuals -- that record their feelings, experiences or opinions. We are also especially interested in finding non-American sites."

Add your signature to this petition already signed by more than 40,000 people from all over the world.

Information on the UFA's Widow's and Children's Fund - developed to help the families of firemen who died in the tragedy. Also offers funeral details for the courageous NY firefighters who sacrificed their lives to save others.

Find out how you can donate to the NY Fire Fighter's 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund. Read or send condolences and get the latest updates on fire fighters involved in the tragedy.

Find out how you can support their efforts to help people affected by Tuesday's Tragedy. (Offers a frequently updated list of items sought by disaster victims and/or an option to donate money.)

This national and international disaster relief organization set up a "Heroes' Fund" for the spouses and children of those New York City uniformed Firefighters, Police Officers, and uniformed Port Authority employees, who have perished in Tuesday's terrible tragedy.

Find additional charities and more ways to volunteer and help victims and their families.

Add your words to help comfort the children in NY - it's free to participate.

Without a doubt - the absolute best graphic designed in response to September 11 that I've seen!

Beautiful Candle & Ribbon Images created by Bob West "after seeing a CNN interview with Cardinal John Egan, who suggested that Americans light a candle with their children, and put it in the window as a sign of hope."

Offers a graphic of an American Flag that you download or print out.

Provides several beautiful memorial graphics for you to download and/or use on your own site.

Offers several moving, memorial images for your web page.

It includes links to:

EYEWITNESS ACCOUNTS

NEWS & ARTICLES ONLINE

MEMORIAL TRIBUTES

TALKING TO YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT THE TRAGEDY

and more...

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Related Links: Part Two September 11th - One Year Later Freebies

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