Commemorative Speech: United Flight 93
Nicole Olmstead
Remillard, COM 212
October 8, 2013
Commemorative Speech
United Flight 93
At 8:46am on September 11, 2001 the world stands still.
Smoke billowing, fire consuming, two gleaming towers falling.
A third strike, Lady Liberty crumples to one knee.
This is ground zero.
No cough can expel it.
No bandage can cover it.
No pill can numb it.
The world stands watching, its mouth frozen agape.
America is under attack.
Hundreds fight to save what is already lost.
The world stands scolding this campaign which has no politicians, no election and no winner.
Americans dig deep into the destruction and lift their faces to the heavens, crying at what they find.
Children mourn for their mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers.
Thousands of lives lost to terrorism.
No one worried this day, until the calls tell.
No one knew this day, until the tears swell.
No one saw this day, until the towers fell.
The world stands clenched, fearful of the forthcoming.
United Flight 93 is still in the sky, the target unknown.
Aboard, the brave forty plot against four savage demons.
No threat will impede them.
No injury will hinder them.
No terrorist will stop them.
They know death will come soon.
In that fleeting moment when all is lost, the brave forty call their loved ones to say goodbye.
Not one soul waivers, they know what they must do.
In their hearts they find courage to be brave.
If they waiver all may be lost and the certainty of death comes at a much greater cost.
The brave forty pray the Lord’s Prayer:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
They charge.
They fight.
They die.
At 10:10am on September 11, 2001, the world is weeping.
The brave forty fall from the sky.
Like songs on the wind to God they wave.
Like angels of mercy to those they save.
Like soldiers of righteousness we salute this day.
You are the flag that flies at half mast, with swift, snapping distinction.
Forever waving but never wavering.
Remillard, COM 212
October 8, 2013
Commemorative Speech
United Flight 93
At 8:46am on September 11, 2001 the world stands still.
Smoke billowing, fire consuming, two gleaming towers falling.
A third strike, Lady Liberty crumples to one knee.
This is ground zero.
No cough can expel it.
No bandage can cover it.
No pill can numb it.
The world stands watching, its mouth frozen agape.
America is under attack.
Hundreds fight to save what is already lost.
The world stands scolding this campaign which has no politicians, no election and no winner.
Americans dig deep into the destruction and lift their faces to the heavens, crying at what they find.
Children mourn for their mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers.
Thousands of lives lost to terrorism.
No one worried this day, until the calls tell.
No one knew this day, until the tears swell.
No one saw this day, until the towers fell.
The world stands clenched, fearful of the forthcoming.
United Flight 93 is still in the sky, the target unknown.
Aboard, the brave forty plot against four savage demons.
No threat will impede them.
No injury will hinder them.
No terrorist will stop them.
They know death will come soon.
In that fleeting moment when all is lost, the brave forty call their loved ones to say goodbye.
Not one soul waivers, they know what they must do.
In their hearts they find courage to be brave.
If they waiver all may be lost and the certainty of death comes at a much greater cost.
The brave forty pray the Lord’s Prayer:
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
They charge.
They fight.
They die.
At 10:10am on September 11, 2001, the world is weeping.
The brave forty fall from the sky.
Like songs on the wind to God they wave.
Like angels of mercy to those they save.
Like soldiers of righteousness we salute this day.
You are the flag that flies at half mast, with swift, snapping distinction.
Forever waving but never wavering.