9/11/11-Ten Years Later

I can’t believe it has been 10 years since September 11, 2001. I remember being in Calculus class in High School when our teacher came in with the news about the first plane hitting. Her husband was nearly retired from the military, but she was quickly realizing that everything was changing. I didn’t understand what she did at the time. To me, terrorism only existed elsewhere. This was not possible in the US.

I watched as the second plane hit…

That day became a haze. We were running around trying to figure out what was going on. Many of my friends left school to be with their families.

One thing I will never forget is seeing images of Manhattan that afternoon and it was covered in a huge cloud of dust and debris.

That day, 2,752 individuals lost their lives, including 343 firefighters, 60 police officers and civilians from 70 different countries. We eventually found out 19 terrorists had hijacked 4 commercial airliners. 2 of these hit the World Trade Center towers, 1 hit the Pentagon and 1 was brought down by the passengers in Shanksville, PA. This plane was suspected to be heading for the Capitol building or the White House.

At the time, I never thought anything good would come of the attacks…I was wrong. I remember watching the Chicago Cubs/New York Yankees game when Phyllis Arnold sang the National Anthem. To see the support that was displayed made me realize that things were going to get better. It was going to take a long long time, but it WAS going to get better.

So here we are…10 years later. The US has seen many changes in the last 10 years, but one thing that hasn’t changed is our spirit to continue onward. We have become a stronger and much more united country. People rushed to help out; giving time, money and support to the many families and friends that lost loved ones that day. We have begun our international war against terrorism and freed countries and countless people from the oppressive rule of unjust leaders. We have recently caught Osama Bin Laden, the terrorist behind the attacks of 9/11 and we are once again a worldwide beacon of freedom and hope.

September 11 Memorial Flag

We at Carrot-Top Industries want to help out as much as possible. That is why we are introducing multiple 9/11 commemorative flags, including our exlclusive Carrot-Top Memorial flags. These are available in both standard and customizable options. The customizable flag allows your company, city, family, fire department, police department or rescue squad to show your support and remembrance to all of our fallen heroes, friends and families who have given the sacrifices of time, freedom and lives since that fateful Tuesday morning.

We wanted to do more than just make a Memorial flag. We wanted to put our money where our mission is…so, we are proud to announce that we have teamed up with the Fisher House Foundation. Proceeds from the sales of our 9/11 Memorial Flags will go directly towards this wonderful charity. The Fisher House Foundation donates and builds “comfort homes” for soldiers and their families and they currently have at least one Fisher House at every major military medical center! These homes allow the family of service men and women to stay with their loved ones during times of unexpected illnesses, disease, injury etc. free of charge. Each year, they house approximately 11,000 families and have made available 3 million days of lodging since their start in 1990. If you would like to donate separately, please visit the site here.

Ground Zero Memorial

If you are in New York this September, try and visit the 9/11 Memorial. This memorial sits directly where the twin towers sat before. Designed in 2003, the Memorials will be dedicated to the many men and women lost that day. The main feature of the design are two large waterfalls and reflecting pools. The reflecting pools are surrounded by bronze parapets with the names of the heroes that day inscribed upon them. To learn more about the Memorial, please visit 911Memorial.org. If you are unable to attend the dedication on this upcoming Patriot Day, we ask that you fly your flags at half-staff and give thanks to the men and women who allow us to live in the best country in the world.

If you are looking for a new American, Military, Support Our Troops or September 11th Memorial flags, please visit www.carrot-top.com.

September 11th, A Day Of Remembrance

Firemen at Ground Zero

On October 25th 2001, George W. Bush signed into law a proposition unanimously passed by congress that would make September 11th a national holiday. This holiday, called “Patriot Day”, is a day of remembrance for the victims of the horrible terrorist attacks which took place on September 11th, 2001. On this day we show defiance and global unity against terrorism around the world.

Patriot Day is a day to remember the victims of the September 11th tragedy.  Not a a single American was left untouched by the tragedy in some way, nearly 10 years later our country and the world is still effected by it. Some positive things were brought about after 9-11. Tighter security measures have been put into place to protect us everyday. American’s had a different outlook on the value of lives, family, friends, neighbors, volunteers and fellow citizens.

American Flag at Half Staff

On September 11th we should all display our American flags and fly them at half staff to honor and remember the 2993 people that lost their lives in the terrorist attacks that occurred on that day. This is also a day to remember the heroes that risk and lost their lives in order to save others. They are the true Americans that put their life on the line for someone else. Carrot-Top Industries honors heroes everyday, submit yours to our Virtual Wall of Honor. We also offer a variety of products to memorialize our heroes, products like civil service flags, grave markers, cemetery marking flags, September 11th flags and of course American flags. We would like to see your flag at half staff or any products you used to commemorate Patriot Day. Submit your photos to: wall@carrot-top.com

Remember that on September 11th the President requests that we observe a one minute of silence at 8:46am, the exact time that the first hijacked plane crashed into the World Trade Center. Other countries, our allies against terrorism around the world are also welcome to join with us on this day and fly their flags at half staff.

A proud firefighter, Todd Stanaway

Todd Stanaway

As I posted a few weeks ago, our main website has a Virtual Wall of Honor, where we post not only names and information about soldiers and civil service members, but really any information their friends or family members want to say about them. The past few years I’ve read a lot of great stories, not only about Military members, but also our Civil Service members. Our firefighters and Police Officers put their lives on the line every day and deserve some great recognition as well.

Loretta Stanaway was kind enough to share Todd Stanaway’s bio and photo with us on our Virtual Wall of Honor. I hope that you can help recognize his bravery as a firefighter and paramedic and honor our Civil Service Members each day.

Todd R. Stanaway was a firefighter/paramedic for the city of Westland, Michigan.  He had served 13 years, including 9 years on the regional hazardous materials team.  He served as part of the honor guard during the memorial parade in New York City in remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

He was 36 when he died of duty-related brain cancer.  He left behind a wife and four-year- old daughter as well as siblings, parents, step-parents, in-laws and other family members and a multitude of friends and colleagues.  He was dearly loved and is greatly missed.

He passed away just two months after receiving his promotion to sergeant.  He is shown at the promotion ceremony with his father.

His name is on the Wall of Honor at the Colorado Springs Firefighters Memorial.  He was a devoted husband and father, loving  son and brother and a friend to all.