Wednesday, September 7, 2011

ETERNAL FLAME OF AMERICA - IN REMEMBRANCE OF 9/11


As we approach September 11, the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center and our Pentagon, we remember the loss of thousands of our fellow Americans, and others from around the world. 

United We Stand, Remembering September 11, 2001


We remember the innocent men, women, and children who were someone’s father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife. As we remember this unprovoked, deliberate terrorist attack, let us remember not only the devastation and the loss of life, but also the courage of our heroes who gave their lives trying to save others. Let us honor all those who lost their lives with our prayers and thoughts. Let us find strength in our unbreakable American Spirit by holding hands, just as we did then. Let us again be united as Americans, not divided as Democrats and Republicans. Let us be brothers and sisters, united under one God, one Nation, indivisible. Let us preserve our Freedom and Love, and let the world acknowledge that the United States is unique and exceptional because we are Free and United, willing to give our lives but never our Freedom. 

The Poem, Eternal Flame of America
This week, instead of my usual beauty blog, I want to share with you a poem I wrote on September 11, 2001, as the tragic events were occurring. This poem was read to The U.S. House and Senate on September 24, 2001, and is now in the Congressional Record. 

A copy of the Congressional Record
An American flag was flown in Iraq in my honor by soldiers serving there who also read my poem. That flag and a framed copy of the Congressional Record are two of my most cherished possessions. I also had a painting commissioned to illustrate the poem, titled, “Eternal Flame of America,” which summarizes who we are, who we were, and who we will always be as Americans. God bless America.


Eternal Flame of America
As I watched in horror and grief as the towers of the World Trade Center burn…
I cried in pain and disbelief. As I wiped the tears from my eyes and 
removed my hands from my face I had a vision…

The painting commissioned to illustrate the poem
In front of me the burning towers turned 
into burning torches…
Torches of hope…
Torches of courage and strength…
Torches of unity and love…
Torches that will guide us into the darkness
to seek and defeat our enemy.
The same enemy that ignited that fire, 
believing he could bring us to our knees.

Torches that will engulf our hearts with love 
and tenacity. Torches that will always burn; 
for the freedom that America stands for 
and that every American will fight for 
and would rather die for than succumb 
to defeat or submission.

Torches that will always remind us that 
we are all equal no matter what religion, race, 
or background and we stand together in peace, brotherhood, and love.
We believe that God is the only one who is above us.
He enables us to carry within us the fire of 
the burning towers as torches of eternal light.
To remind us that America is Freedom, 
and Freedom is America.
Our Forefathers established it, 
our Fathers believed in it,
we will fight for it, 
and our children will keep it forever.

2 comments:

Nancy said...

Dino, Thank you for sending a grateful few your encouraging words. Our son and grandson are both serving in the Middle East as I write and today's events are especially meaningful to us as parents and grandparents. We are grateful for all the brave men and women protecting our freedom. Your poem is beautiful and is to be cherished.
Dick and Nancy

Dino Laudati, Board Certified Master Haircolorist www.greathaircolorist.com said...

Thank you Dick and Nancy. I'm glad my words were meaningful for you. God Bless and protect you and your son and grandson. Please thank them for me and my family for their service and their patriotism. God Bless America!