Empty Sky is the official New Jersey September 11 memorial to the state's victims of the September 11 attacks on the United States. It is located in Liberty State Park in Jersey City at the mouth of Hudson River across from the World Trade Center site. 2017 photo by Robert G. Breese.
I’ll never forget ...
the silent blue sky,
smokey images flashing above an infant’s downy head,
fear that it wasn’t over and plans to escape north.
I’ll never forget ...
solemn prayers,
donations of water, gloves, and blood,
hope, bright stars and stripes everywhere.
Time to act, comfort, respect, teach,
Serve God and my country.
To help people at all times.
A pledge.
Teaching, modeling, leading
young ladies in uniforms of blue, brown and green.
We’ll never forget ...
sacrifices,
empty places at the table,
lost families, lost service members, lost innocence.
We’ll never forget ...
how to honor,
learn tolerance,
demonstrate kindness with character.
We’ll never forget.
Tanya Woods
Editor’s note: The writer added this post script:
“When asked to reflect on that day and my tenure working with the Girl Scouts, it was a struggle to put in words. Fear can lead us to anger, rejection, isolation, and future fear. I hope I changed that course. As a young mother I wanted to teach young people. I thought that if I could teach them to hold respect for themselves and others, compassion through action, and responsibility for what they say and do, then maybe we’ll never have to experience another day like 9/11/01.May we never forget.”