September 12, 2014: Del Rio News-Herald * Letter to the Editor * "In honor of Patriot Day"








































Letter to the Editor,

Patriot Day is September 11, commonly known as ‘Nine-Eleven’, and is remembered as the anniversary of the catastrophic terrorist attacks on the United States of America on September 11, 2001.

Thousands of people died in the attack, including hundreds of first-responders who lost their own lives attempting to fight fires and rescue people.

Majestic buildings and massive airlines were destroyed and masses of innocent human lives were devastated within the span of a couple of hours.

Patriot Day is recognized by law as the official day of remembrance for those tragic events, and has been observed every year since. Each year on this day, American flags are flown at half-staff to honor and commemorate those lives lost. The President asks Americans to observe a moment of silence at 8:46am (ET), the time of the first plane collision into the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

The threat of worldwide terrorism which had previously evaded our country had now invaded American soil; the reality of terrorism inextricably etched into the American psyche.
We were no longer immune or impenetrable from being besieged and beleaguered with deplorable and despicable violence.

However, we must always remember and never forget that we came together during that tragic time and survived because of our strong and sustaining faith in God and our devotion and dedication as citizens of this country.

An upsurge of prayer and patriotism spontaneously spread throughout the land and in the hearts, minds and souls of the citizens of this country as we realized our vulnerability and weakness and turned to God our Higher Power in pleading for our protection and petitioning for peace in the world.

When prayer and patriotism have blossomed, we have stood united as one nation, with our many distinct and diverse religions and political viewpoints; because the power of prayer and the potency of patriotism are invincible against the disbelief and disunity threatened by terrorists.

Throughout our history as a nation, in times of peril and persecution we have remained a people of prayer and patriotism.

Prayerfully and Patriotically,

Marian Casillas, Ed.D.