Friday September 10, 2010
Shine the Light
A poem of remembrance and hope for 9/11
by Connie L. Peters
In the Beginning, Word was light
As promised came one starry night
The darkness knew not what was right
It fought with might, it fought with might
Nine years ago it fought us here
Attacking us with hate and fear
It killed so many we hold dear
And with a jeer, and with a jeer
And some say darkness may have won
But tell me, can you quench the Sun?
God’s light still shines on everyone
To Him we come, to Him we come
He helped before, He’ll help again
The wars we’ve had, He helped us then
Through famines, floods and strife within
In Him we win, in Him we win
Darkness dispels with little light
As candles glow, the dark takes flight
The love of Jesus beams so bright
So shine the light, so shine the light
Connie L. Peters is a writer (27 years) and caregiver (10 years) who lives in Cortez, CO. Married with two children, Connie and her husband Loren host two adults with developmental disabilities.
How you will you help your family remember 9/11 this weekend?
represent or reflect the biblical or world views or opinions of the Presidential Prayer Team.
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Presidential Quote of the Week
John F. Kennedy (1917-1963), 35th President of the United States
“We in this country, in this generation, are, by destiny rather than by choice, the watchmen on the wall of world freedom. We ask, therefore, that we may be worthy of our power and our responsibility, that we may exercise our strength with wisdom and restraint, and that we may achieve in our time and for all time the ancient vision of peace on earth, goodwill toward men. That must always be our goal. For as it was written long ago, “Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”” - John F. Kennedy, from a speech prepared but not given, November 1963.
John Fitzgerald “Jack” Kennedy was born in May 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts. He attended Brookline’s public Edward Devotion School from kindergarten through the beginning of third grade, then Noble and Greenough Lower School and its successor, the Dexter School, a private school for boys, through 4th grade. The family moved to the Bronx, New York, and he completed his primary school years in Riverdale Country School. From there he attended several private boarding schools for boys, namely Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut, and The Choate School, in Wallingford, Connecticut. After short experiences at the London School of Economics and Princeton University, he ultimately enrolled at Harvard, where he graduated cum laude with a degree in international affairs. He spent a year in postgraduate work at Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Kennedy joined the Navy in 1941, and was ultimately assigned for duty in Panama and eventually the Pacific theater of World War II. He earned the rank of Lieutenant, and commanded a patrol torpedo (PT) boat. In August 1943, his boat was rammed by a Japanese destroyer, and Kennedy was thrown across the deck, injuring his already-troubled back. The incident of the PT-109 was popularized when he became president and would be the subject of magazine articles, books, comic books, television specials and a feature length movie.
After World War II, Kennedy considered becoming a journalist before deciding to run for public office. He was elected to Congress from Massachusetts where he served six years, and then later ran for the U.S. Senate, serving there for seven years. In 1960 he declared his intent to run for the United States Presidency, and won election by just two-tenths of one percent in the popular vote. He was the first President born in the 20th century, and youngest elected to that office, at the age of 43.
Events during his administration include the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Cuban Missile crisis, the building of the Berlin Wall, the beginnings of the Space Race, the American Civil Rights Movement and early stages of the Vietnam War.
Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas Texas. Lee Harvey Oswald was charged with the crime, but he himself was shot and killed before there could ever be a trial. Elements of Kennedy’s death are still disputed by some.
Kennedy was married to Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, and they had four children, only two of whom survived into adulthood. The Kennedy family were Catholic.
Praying for those who lost loved ones on that terrible day and to pray for America to realize who our God is and listen to His words, ” If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from Heaven,and forgive their sin and heal their land”. How much clearer can He be. How much more time will there be.
Many families in our community will be attending the 8th annual Patriot Day
Commemorative Breakfast at Fort Harrison, Montana at 7:00 am. on Friday, 10th.
The facility is on the military grounds and is located just on the outskirts of Helena, our state capital. The event will start with the presentation of the colors and the Pledge of Allegiance. A video presentation will be shown. The theme this year is:”Have You Forgotten?” All Uniformed Services-military and civillian will be honored. The event will have special speakers and music. Last Alarm Ceremony will be the “Ringing of the Bell” by the Helena Fire Department. A Tribute to the Fallen will followed by the Shining Thistle Pipe Band playing “Amazing Grace.” Many dignitaries will be recognized. After the speakers the closing will be with the song “God Bless America.” The event will end with the retiring of the colors. This event has been very special for our city,county and state to remember the lost lives in the 911 attack and the great sacrifices that has been made to protect our nation. God Bless America!
We are going to just pray that our country will remember and learn from the lessons surrounding the 9-11 events. We’ll pray the God will continue to protect us and our country. I want my family to know that whatever life brings our way that prayer is the answer.