Please allow me to introduce you to Robert Hauger of Hauger's Auto Garage in Shanksville, PA. I met Robert this morning when we discovered as we were preparing to leave for the nearby Flight 93 Memorial that I had left the coach basement lights on all night long, and since the coach is wired to feed the battery in the TOAD as we drive, it also drains the battery if it's electric umbilical is not disconnected from the coach when we are stopped overnight.
A quick call to Good Sam's Emergency Service (AAA for RVers) got Robert out to us in Kantner and he had all fixed faster than you can click a Logitech Mouse. And guess what? I talked to him through the whole thing, and quite a while after. We're both pastors!!! Robert was raised UMC, and was a Lay Speaker in the Central Conference until he discovered he appreciated Pentecostal worship more. Now he's a Lay Chaplain under the pastor of his Assemblies of God congregation and at Meadow View Nursing Home and preaches regularly as well!
 |
| Its a small pic, but look close and you will see every aspect of America photoed here. This was truly an American heroic effort... even by the one German national on board. |
As for the memorial itself, it is quiet, solemn, and huge.
The impact site and debri field have been covered over and wild flowers bloom again where the atomized bodies of over 40 passengers and crew remain. A boulder covers the site of the crater made when the plane with its unused 7,000 gallons of jet fuel on board hit nose down at over 560 mph.
Family members of the victims come to the site constantly. They and national Park personnel are the only persons allowed in the fenced debri field. They have a private entrance and bathrooms. The Beamers visit the most. They came last week. Even though they are a family of sure faith, they just needed to feel nearer to dad.
Tonight we are parked in a wonderfully quiet crossroads parking lot at New Zion UMC, Baltimore, OH., Just east of Columbus. John, the Trustee President, lives two doors down. Thats how I think he got elected President... 10 years ago. And guess what he was doing? Changing the letters on the changeable letter sign. We had SO much to talk about!
Tomorrow it's off to places yet unexplored, and an evening, hopefully once again at a quiet church, near Indianapolis. It will be so nice not to have to drive several hours a day to meet a deadline. But its not that bad when the deadline is a week at a Marriott Resort in the Rockies, and then a wonderful visit with our son JIM!PS: update on coach basement door repairs: State Farm is letting us choose the shop for the repair and will pay us directly for the claim. we have contacted Camping World's own RV body shop in Arvada, CO, just west of Denver. We'll leave QUO there and drive TOAD to the Marriott in Breckenridge. Then, hopefully Jim can hook up with us in Arvada, or elsewhere and off we'll go again, this time throughout Central Colorado.
God keep you all and TY for your prayers! He is doing a great job with us.
-Ken
Your comments on the 9/11 Memorial are so beautifully phrased. As you have written, the memorial is amazing for its simplicity and open space, an appropriate commemoration for passengers and crew who gave their last full measure.
ReplyDeleteTo me, it is also fitting that while the remains of the terrorists are also powdered about the site, they are never named or pictured in any part of the display. I can pray for their families and that others will seek peace rather than violence to express their anger at possible wrongs. And I can forgive them their ignorance in believing so strongly that this was their only choice. But I am glad they are left face and nameless to we who mourn the consequence of their action.
ReplyDelete