ANTHONY W. PAHL

I REMEMBER

I remember the death of President Kennedy
I was 14
and was sitting in my father's car
with my brother and sisters
listening to the radio
while waiting for my dad to finish visiting
one of his workmates in Adelaide.
I jumped out of the car and cried.

I was in Viet Nam when man landed on the moon in July of 1969.
I clearly remember the words
"The Eagle has landed"
when the lunar-module landed,
but I never heard Neil Armstrong's words
"One small step for man; a giant leap for mankind."
until the next day
because we were called out for a dust-off
to pick up dead and wounded Australians from a mine field

I was working on my web site,
adding some Viet Nam Poems
near midnight here in Australia
when a friend buzzed me on the Instant messenger
with the alarm to quickly turn on the television.
I saw the live broadcast of the second plane
flying into the second World Trade Centre Tower.

I will not forget!

©Copyright 12 September 2001 by Anthony W. Pahl

A PRAYER

For those who were safely out of harm's way, but who, through evil, were killed senselessly, I pray to the Lord God for the safe repose of their souls.

They were slain, not by an act of war, not by soldiers fighting for freedom, but by evil murderers. May justice be swift and retribution be powerful on those who perpetrated, supported and aided in the commission of this satanic and evil deed.

Dear Lord, grant those who have suffered and will suffer because of this evil act the strength and resolve to overcome their grief and horror, their doubts and fears and the evil that is terrorism. I ask this on behalf of all the rescue workers, the families, the politicians and all those who will soon have to fight the enemy face to face,

God, hear my prayer in Jesus name,

Amen