got freedom?

rubble

"drop your toys,
pick up rocks!"
a common cry
among children in israel
where children bury their friends...

suicide bombers strike
once again in palestine
acts of terrorism rampant
routine casualties arise
where families call it honor...

the tower came crashing down
shouts of terror enveloped the air
along the streets of new york
broken fragments in all directions
where destruction
signified war...

the seas chose no boundaries
the mountains echoed a deafening silence
and the skies turn to pale gray.

a shadow cast
with all its might
the eagle visible
spirited and confident.

it soars high
only one truth
it spread its wings
only one cry
... freedom!

-duchesne (march 2002)



where were you during september 11, 2001?

in that historic and tragic day we were all in confusion. a haze of dark clouds loom and images flash in the tube of destruction. a massive infrastructure downfall of the world trade center in new york. incredibly impossible in our thoughts. how could it be that the planes can hit those twin towers. such evil creativity. thousands of death casualties and counting.

i was in the training room of blue cross and blue shield of florida when i first heard the news. we had tons of questions with very little information. everyone did not know what to make out of it. there was one television in the building but not much of a reception. some cubicles had a radio so we manage to monitor the developments.

my classmates during this training for membership and billing were concern if i had to be activated. i was an active naval reservist at that time.

the naval air station in jacksonville closed its gate. the vehicles were trapped inside and so were those kids in daycare. mothers were worried how they can get them home safely without having any entry access to the base.

i remember the normally composed dan rather deliver the news with a sob. it was beyond humanity to kill so many americans that went to work in the morning with the hope of earning a decent living for their families. homes that are now without fathers, mothers, friends, sons, daughters, etc.

their remains were never fully recover. there are moments that i get choke up reliving it whether i am watching a documentary or just thinking back. it was a defining moment in realizing we have entered a new era of terror. a vastly dangerous world.