Published: September 13, 2006 12:02 pm            

Using print to do what microphones can’t

For those who were unable to attend Monday’s Sept. 11 memorial service — and for those who were present and unable to hear me due to a faulty microphone — I offer in print the gist of what you would have heard had you been there, or at least standing close enough to hear me shout.

Well, it wasn’t exactly shouting. I prefer to think of it as projecting. I did earn a theater minor. But I digress.

I introduced myself as such:

“Thank you. It’s an honor to be involved with such a solemn event, and to see how many of my friends and neighbors join me in my belief that events like this memorial service are fundamental to the strength of our community and country.

“Some of you are good enough to read what I write each Wednesday, but today I want to spotlight your words, your memories and your thoughts and ideas.

“I’d like to introduce Marilyn Schmidt, who was kind and brave enough to write me a letter about her experience on this day five years ago.”

And yes, I prepared that speech, which is how I’m able to quote myself verbatim today. Anyhow, here’s Marilyn’s letter:

“I will never forget where I was Sept. 11, 2001. I was a Precinct Election Official for the Clinton School Board election. The polling place at that time for Ward 4 was the National Guard Armory on 13th Avenue North.

“The poll workers arrived at 6 a.m. to set up the equipment. Polls opened at 7 a.m. At 8:15 a.m. a member of the National Guard informed us that we might have to move because an airplane hit the World Trade Center. At 8:30 a.m. the guard came back and said that we could stay but we had to move all the books and other material by the front door. The voting machines could stay where they were.

“As voters came to vote they had to show their ID and a Guard member recorded the name and address. If they didn’t bring their ID the poll workers had to verify that they were registered in the book before they could come in the door. This lasted until the polls closed at 8 p.m. That was the last time the Armory was used as a polling place.”

Shortly before the ceremony, Linda Boardsen approached me and asked to share her story. So here goes:

“On Sept. 11, 2001 I was working at Assumption Village, a skilled nursing facility near Youngstown, Ohio. As we watched the horror unfold in New York, Flight 93 made a U-turn near Cleveland and most likely flew over the Youngstown area on its way to Shanksville, Pa., only 150 miles away.

“That afternoon I attended a prayer service organized by the nursing home chaplain for staff and residents. Steve composed this ‘Prayer for Peace’ which I would like to share with the Herald’s readers on this five-year anniversary of Sept. 11.

“‘Good and gracious God, there are no words to describe what is going on inside of me during this day of such sorrow and destruction. Over and over I keep saying to myself, “This isn’t suppose to be happening. This is the United States; things like this don’t happen here.”

“‘I ask you, good and gracious God to bless all of those who got up this morning thinking that all was well and because of this tragedy will never see another tomorrow. Bless the emergency workers who risk their lives for others, give them the strength to do what needs to be done. Give to those working in hospitals and emergency centers healing hands and soothing words. Hold close all those who stand and wait for word about those they love.

“‘Bless our country, dear God. Give wisdom to our leaders. Give them patience and the humility to do what is right. And above all, God give us peace.

“‘As for me, O God, I come asking for peace and openness as so not to judge to harshly, I ask for an open heart. Dear God, for a heart that will be able to accept people who don’t think like me or talk like me or look like me. Somehow, some way, help me to find forgiveness in my heart. I am in need of your love and your grace, O God of all. Help me to channel my anger into courage and my confusion into hope.’

“God Bless America!”

In the end, the faulty microphone may have been a blessing, if only because it was getting dark quick and it would have been unfortunate to rush Marilyn and Linda through their words. Putting them in print hopefully leaves them out there for all of us to digest and process on our own schedules.

Are they the most eloquent words written about Sept. 11? The most moving? The most haunting? Well, probably not. Neither was I anything I had to say.

But they are important nonetheless, because they reinforce the notion that the Sept. 11 attacks are something that touched each individual American. If it did not directly affect your way of life, at least it made you think about issues larger than yourself. And if it didn’t do even that, then you and I don’t have much in common other than being carbon-based life forms.

Thanks very much to all who attended Monday’s event. It’s proof that we are a changed people, that our patriotism crosses political lines and, most importantly, that we will not forget.

Scott T. Holland’s column appears every Wednesday in the Clinton Herald. His e-mail address is scottholland@clintonherald.com.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.