In 2001 I was leaving a restaurant  on 9/11after having had a wonderful breakfast.  The drive to the office from that early morning stop was very short.  Automatically, the news was on the radio.  Newscasters were aggitated.

My route was taking me West on Ann Arbor Rd.  I had done this trip so many times I wouldn’t even have the wildest guess how many times I have done it.  But, I remember this trip.

Usually, my routine drive to work is with the radio on for background noise.  Occasionally, I’ll find a tidbit that captures my attention.  Current events afterall is important for anyone who is interested in connecting with people or engaging the community for significant impact.  Besides, leaders need to be up to date on what’s happening in the world.

Even more importantly communicators need to be in touch with what ever is occuring in order to relate to people.  When something worries people a communicator needs to pay attention.  Pastors who speak to the needs of people need to we aware of the issues of the day that dash hopes, hurt dreams or bring lives into times of tragic loss.

This was one of those days.  I cocked my head and tried to figure out what was happening in New York.  The news reported that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center.  In my mind I visualized a small single engine plane that got lost and collided with the massive sky scraper.

But, once I arrived at the office, our staff was buzzing with the news.  We turned on the TV and watched with a deepening sense of grief and disbelief at what our eyes could not deny.  America had been attacked.

There was no end of details that came across the airwaves.  The appetite for information was as large as the quantity of reporting.  But, the desire for data was replaced quickly by a passion for more.  The event spawned an incensed unbridled anger for justice, retribution and demolition. 

Whoever chose to strike our nation deserved an appropriate response.  It was time to raise the alert.  Any further attacks had to be prevented.  The criminals had to be confronted and defeated.

For as long as I live I will remember.  The loss, anger and passion for retribution will live long.  9/11 is no longer just a date on the calendar but a memorial of national resolve.