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CDGator

Not Seedy
Lifetime Member
Jul 24, 2020
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The bandolier, which holds ammunition, is a design feature that has come under scrutiny. The ammunition is facing upwards, which some claim is inaccurate.
 

Nalt

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2020
6,626
18,109
Do you believe that angels visit people today?

My MIL was in the hospital last week from Monday until Friday. She has terminal cancer in various places throughout her body. She also found out on Monday of last week that she has blood clots in one of her lungs and one of her legs. The hospital she was in will still only allow TWO visitors total. The first two people to visit her were the only one's that would be allowed in for the entire time she was hospitalized. Those were my wife and her brother. On Wednesday or Thursday both my wife and BIL were up in her room with her and a nurse walked in saying that my FIL had called asking if he could come up and visit her. My wife informed the nurse that her dad had passed away 13 years ago. The nurse went back to check on that but the caller had hung up. Could this have been an angel or was it more likely someone pranking the family?

Also, my best friend died from a 4-wheeler accident back in April of1995. That June my wife and I took his widow and her two daughters on a vacation in Pensacola. While there, Sheila (my best friend's widow) decided to take a stroll on the beach after dark. She walked for a ways and decided to sit and listen to the waves crash on the beach. There was no one around her as far as she could see but admittedly, it was pretty dark except for lights from the hotels. After sitting there for a while a man approached her and talked with her for a few minutes. The things he said to her were very comforting and after a bit he said goodbye and left. He hadn't time to get out of sight and she turned to say something else to him but he was gone. Completely gone. No sign of him or anything. Was this an angel or was her mind playing tricks on her?
 

Spectator

Well-Known Member
Jan 15, 2021
866
1,588
This was half a mile from my house, Monday morning. It would be funny if the pickup driver was not killed. Drive safe.
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Treebeard

Oops, just stepped on a Lorax.
Lifetime Member
Dec 23, 2015
4,996
26,140
"Last Man Standing!"
This statue can be found in Grand Rapids, MI and is the work of father son team Andy and Noah Sacksteder.

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Treebeard

Oops, just stepped on a Lorax.
Lifetime Member
Dec 23, 2015
4,996
26,140
For 9/11

The full transcript of the conversation between Todd Beamer of United Flight 93, and LIsa, the Operator who answered his call.

Todd: Hello…Operator…listen to me…I can’t speak very loud. This is an emergency. I’m a passenger on a United flight to San Francisco. We have a situation here. Our plane has been hijacked…can you understand me?
Lisa: (exhaling a deep breath to herself) I understand. Can the hijackers see you talking on the phone?
Todd: No
Lisa: Can you tell me how many hijackers are on the plane?
Todd: There are three that we know of.
Lisa: Can you see any weapons? What kind of weapons do they have?
Todd: Yes…they don’t have guns…they have knives – they took over the plane with knives.
Lisa: Do you mean…like steak knives?
Todd: No, these are razor knives…like box cutters.
Lisa: Can you tell what country these people are from?
Todd: No…I don’t know. They sound like they’re from the mid-east.
Lisa: Have they said what they want?
Todd: Someone announced from the cockpit that there was a bomb on board. He said he was the captain and to stay in our seats and stay quiet.
He said that they were meeting these men’s demands and returning to the airport…It was very broken English, and…I’m telling you…it sounded fake!
Lisa: Ok sir, please give me your name.
Todd: My name is Todd Beamer.
Lisa: Ok Todd…my name is Lisa. Do you know your flight number? If you can’t remember, it’s on your ticket.
Todd: It’s United Flight 93.
Lisa: Now Todd, can you try to tell me exactly what happened?
Todd: Two of the hijackers were sitting in first class near the cockpit. A third one was sitting near the back of the coach section. The two up front got into the cockpit somehow; there was shouting. The third hijacker said he had a bomb. It looks like a bomb. He’s got it tied to his waist with a red belt of some kind.
Lisa: So is the door to the cockpit open?
Todd: No, the hijackers shut it behind them.
Lisa: Has anyone been injured?
Todd: Yes, ..they…they killed one passenger sitting in first class. There’s been lots of shouting. We don’t know if the pilots are dead or alive. A flight attendant told me that the pilot and copilot had been forced from the cockpit and may have been wounded.
Lisa: Where is the 3rd hijacker now Todd?
Todd: He’s near the back of the plane. They forced most of the passengers into first class. There are fourteen of us here in the back. Five are flight attendants. He hasn’t noticed that I slipped into this pantry to get the phone. The guy with the bomb ordered us to sit on the floor in the rear of the plane……….oh Jesus…Help!
Lisa: Todd…are you ok? Tell me what’s happening!
Todd: Hello…We’re going down…I think we’re going to crash…Wait – wait a minute. No, we’re leveling off…we’re ok. I think we may be turning around…That’s it – we changed directions. Do you hear me…we’re flying east again.
Lisa: Ok Todd…What’s going on with the other passengers?
Todd: Everyone is…really scared. A few passengers with cell phones have made calls to relatives. A guy, Jeremy, was talking to his wife just before the hijacking started. She told him that hijackers had crashed two planes into the World Trade Center…Lisa is that true??
Lisa: Todd…I have to tell you the truth…it’s very bad. The World Trade Center is gone. Both of the towers have been destroyed.
Todd: Oh God — help us!
Lisa: A third plane was taken over by terrorists. It crashed into the Pentagon in Washington DC. Our country is under attack…and I’m afraid that your plane may be part of their plan.
Todd: Oh dear God. Dear God…Lisa, will you do something for me?
Lisa: I’ll try…if I can…Yes.
Todd: I want you to call my wife and my kids for me and tell them what’s happened. Promise me you’ll call.
Lisa: I promise – I’ll call.
Todd: Our home number is 201 353-1073. You have the same name as my wife…Lisa…We’ve been married for 10 years. She’s pregnant with our 3rd child. Tell her that I love her…(choking up)…I’ll always love her…(clearing throat). We have two boys…David, he’s 3 and Andrew, he’s 1…Tell them…(choking) tell them that their daddy loves them and that he is so proud of them. (clearing throat again) Our baby is due January 12th…I saw an ultra sound…it was great…we still don’t know if it’s a girl or a boy………Lisa?
Lisa: (barely able to speak) I’ll tell them, I promise Todd.
Todd: I’m going back to the group — if I can get back I will.
Lisa: Todd, leave this line open…are you still there?
Lisa: (dials the phone) Hello, FBI, my name is Lisa Jefferson, I’m a telephone supervisor for GTE. I need to report a terrorist hijacking of a United Airlines Flight 93…Yes I’ll hold.
Goodwin: Hello, this is Agent Goodwin. I understand you have a hijacking situation?
Lisa: Yes sir, I’ve been talking with a passenger, a Todd Beamer, on Flight 93 who managed to get to an air phone unnoticed.
Goodwin: Where did this flight originate, and what was its destination?
Lisa: The flight left Newark New Jersey at 8 A.M. departing for San Francisco. The hijackers took over the plane shortly after takeoff, and several minutes later the plane changed course – it is now flying east.
Goodwin: Ms. Jefferson…I need to talk to someone aboard that plane. Can you get me thru to the planes phone?
Lisa: I still have that line open sir, I can patch you through on a conference call…hold a mo…..
Todd: Hello Lisa, Lisa are you there?
Lisa: Yes, I’m here. Todd, I made a call to the FBI, Agent Goodwin is on the line and will be talking to you as well.
Todd: The others all know that this isn’t your normal hijacking. Jeremy called his wife again on his cell phone. She told him more about the World Trade Center and all.
Goodwin: Hello Todd. This is Agent Goodwin with the FBI. We have been monitoring your flight. Your plane is on a course for Washington, DC. These terrorists sent two planes into the World Trade Center and one plane into the Pentagon. Our best guess is that they plan to fly your plane into either the White House or the United States Capital Building.
Todd: I understand…hold on…I’ll…I’ll be back.
Lisa: Mr. Goodwin, how much time do they have before they get to Washington?
Goodwin: Not long ma’am. They changed course over Cleveland; they’re approaching Pittsburgh now. Washington may be twenty minutes away.
Todd: (breathing a little heavier) The plane seems to be changing directions just a little. It’s getting pretty rough up here. The plane is flying real erratic. We’re not going to make it out of here. Listen to me…I want you to hear this…I have talked with the others…we have decided we would not be pawns in these hijackers suicidal plot.
Lisa: Todd, what are you going to do?
Todd: We’ve hatched a plan. Four of us are going to rush the hijacker with the bomb. After we take him out, we’ll break into the cockpit. A stewardess is getting some boiling water to throw on the hijackers at the controls. We’ll get them….and we’ll take them out. Lisa, will you do one last thing for me?
Lisa: Yes…What is it?
Todd: Would you pray with me?
They pray: Our father which art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive our trespassers,
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory
Forever. Amen
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…
He makes me to lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside the still waters
He restores my soul
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me…..
Todd: (softer) God help me…Jesus help me….(clears throat and louder)
Are you guys ready?

Let’s Roll.
 

B52G8rAC

SAC Trained Warrior
Lifetime Member
Feb 15, 2016
5,914
11,080
For 9/11

The full transcript of the conversation between Todd Beamer of United Flight 93, and LIsa, the Operator who answered his call.

Todd: Hello…Operator…listen to me…I can’t speak very loud. This is an emergency. I’m a passenger on a United flight to San Francisco. We have a situation here. Our plane has been hijacked…can you understand me?
Lisa: (exhaling a deep breath to herself) I understand. Can the hijackers see you talking on the phone?
Todd: No
Lisa: Can you tell me how many hijackers are on the plane?
Todd: There are three that we know of.
Lisa: Can you see any weapons? What kind of weapons do they have?
Todd: Yes…they don’t have guns…they have knives – they took over the plane with knives.
Lisa: Do you mean…like steak knives?
Todd: No, these are razor knives…like box cutters.
Lisa: Can you tell what country these people are from?
Todd: No…I don’t know. They sound like they’re from the mid-east.
Lisa: Have they said what they want?
Todd: Someone announced from the cockpit that there was a bomb on board. He said he was the captain and to stay in our seats and stay quiet.
He said that they were meeting these men’s demands and returning to the airport…It was very broken English, and…I’m telling you…it sounded fake!
Lisa: Ok sir, please give me your name.
Todd: My name is Todd Beamer.
Lisa: Ok Todd…my name is Lisa. Do you know your flight number? If you can’t remember, it’s on your ticket.
Todd: It’s United Flight 93.
Lisa: Now Todd, can you try to tell me exactly what happened?
Todd: Two of the hijackers were sitting in first class near the cockpit. A third one was sitting near the back of the coach section. The two up front got into the cockpit somehow; there was shouting. The third hijacker said he had a bomb. It looks like a bomb. He’s got it tied to his waist with a red belt of some kind.
Lisa: So is the door to the cockpit open?
Todd: No, the hijackers shut it behind them.
Lisa: Has anyone been injured?
Todd: Yes, ..they…they killed one passenger sitting in first class. There’s been lots of shouting. We don’t know if the pilots are dead or alive. A flight attendant told me that the pilot and copilot had been forced from the cockpit and may have been wounded.
Lisa: Where is the 3rd hijacker now Todd?
Todd: He’s near the back of the plane. They forced most of the passengers into first class. There are fourteen of us here in the back. Five are flight attendants. He hasn’t noticed that I slipped into this pantry to get the phone. The guy with the bomb ordered us to sit on the floor in the rear of the plane……….oh Jesus…Help!
Lisa: Todd…are you ok? Tell me what’s happening!
Todd: Hello…We’re going down…I think we’re going to crash…Wait – wait a minute. No, we’re leveling off…we’re ok. I think we may be turning around…That’s it – we changed directions. Do you hear me…we’re flying east again.
Lisa: Ok Todd…What’s going on with the other passengers?
Todd: Everyone is…really scared. A few passengers with cell phones have made calls to relatives. A guy, Jeremy, was talking to his wife just before the hijacking started. She told him that hijackers had crashed two planes into the World Trade Center…Lisa is that true??
Lisa: Todd…I have to tell you the truth…it’s very bad. The World Trade Center is gone. Both of the towers have been destroyed.
Todd: Oh God — help us!
Lisa: A third plane was taken over by terrorists. It crashed into the Pentagon in Washington DC. Our country is under attack…and I’m afraid that your plane may be part of their plan.
Todd: Oh dear God. Dear God…Lisa, will you do something for me?
Lisa: I’ll try…if I can…Yes.
Todd: I want you to call my wife and my kids for me and tell them what’s happened. Promise me you’ll call.
Lisa: I promise – I’ll call.
Todd: Our home number is 201 353-1073. You have the same name as my wife…Lisa…We’ve been married for 10 years. She’s pregnant with our 3rd child. Tell her that I love her…(choking up)…I’ll always love her…(clearing throat). We have two boys…David, he’s 3 and Andrew, he’s 1…Tell them…(choking) tell them that their daddy loves them and that he is so proud of them. (clearing throat again) Our baby is due January 12th…I saw an ultra sound…it was great…we still don’t know if it’s a girl or a boy………Lisa?
Lisa: (barely able to speak) I’ll tell them, I promise Todd.
Todd: I’m going back to the group — if I can get back I will.
Lisa: Todd, leave this line open…are you still there?
Lisa: (dials the phone) Hello, FBI, my name is Lisa Jefferson, I’m a telephone supervisor for GTE. I need to report a terrorist hijacking of a United Airlines Flight 93…Yes I’ll hold.
Goodwin: Hello, this is Agent Goodwin. I understand you have a hijacking situation?
Lisa: Yes sir, I’ve been talking with a passenger, a Todd Beamer, on Flight 93 who managed to get to an air phone unnoticed.
Goodwin: Where did this flight originate, and what was its destination?
Lisa: The flight left Newark New Jersey at 8 A.M. departing for San Francisco. The hijackers took over the plane shortly after takeoff, and several minutes later the plane changed course – it is now flying east.
Goodwin: Ms. Jefferson…I need to talk to someone aboard that plane. Can you get me thru to the planes phone?
Lisa: I still have that line open sir, I can patch you through on a conference call…hold a mo…..
Todd: Hello Lisa, Lisa are you there?
Lisa: Yes, I’m here. Todd, I made a call to the FBI, Agent Goodwin is on the line and will be talking to you as well.
Todd: The others all know that this isn’t your normal hijacking. Jeremy called his wife again on his cell phone. She told him more about the World Trade Center and all.
Goodwin: Hello Todd. This is Agent Goodwin with the FBI. We have been monitoring your flight. Your plane is on a course for Washington, DC. These terrorists sent two planes into the World Trade Center and one plane into the Pentagon. Our best guess is that they plan to fly your plane into either the White House or the United States Capital Building.
Todd: I understand…hold on…I’ll…I’ll be back.
Lisa: Mr. Goodwin, how much time do they have before they get to Washington?
Goodwin: Not long ma’am. They changed course over Cleveland; they’re approaching Pittsburgh now. Washington may be twenty minutes away.
Todd: (breathing a little heavier) The plane seems to be changing directions just a little. It’s getting pretty rough up here. The plane is flying real erratic. We’re not going to make it out of here. Listen to me…I want you to hear this…I have talked with the others…we have decided we would not be pawns in these hijackers suicidal plot.
Lisa: Todd, what are you going to do?
Todd: We’ve hatched a plan. Four of us are going to rush the hijacker with the bomb. After we take him out, we’ll break into the cockpit. A stewardess is getting some boiling water to throw on the hijackers at the controls. We’ll get them….and we’ll take them out. Lisa, will you do one last thing for me?
Lisa: Yes…What is it?
Todd: Would you pray with me?
They pray: Our father which art in Heaven
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses
As we forgive our trespassers,
And lead us not into temptation
But deliver us from evil
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory
Forever. Amen
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…
He makes me to lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside the still waters
He restores my soul
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil, for thou art with me…..
Todd: (softer) God help me…Jesus help me….(clears throat and louder)
Are you guys ready?

Let’s Roll.
I can't see right now for the tears. Vaya con Dios my brothers and sisters. Go rest high on that mountain.
 

CDGator

Not Seedy
Lifetime Member
Jul 24, 2020
15,801
43,742
I shouldn't have read that transcript while here at work...

That transcript has popped up at least 10 times on my FB feed and I can’t bring myself to read it this year. I’ve read it years ago but can’t do it this year. It hurts too much.
 

Treebeard

Oops, just stepped on a Lorax.
Lifetime Member
Dec 23, 2015
4,996
26,140
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Maria Henry Gay
February 6, 2020 ·

Well, today didn't go as we hoped but it's in the hardest of times we learn the best lessons and feel the most gratitude.

Buffy was scheduled to have her teeth cleaned and removed today but Dr. Mac had a gut feeling she needed to look at some lab work before putting her under anesthesia. She was right; Buffy showed signs of advanced kidney failure so anesthesia was not an option and as a family we decided that the kindest and most loving thing to do would be to let her go before she lost her will to live and stopped eating and drinking.

I wouldn't have dreamed of leaving Robbie out of this decision or not allowing him to be part of the entire process so I immediately went and picked him up from school. On the way there he told me he wanted to be the one to hold her when she went to heaven. And of course, I gave him that honor. On the way home I told him how proud I was of him for understanding the importance of caring for old animals and helping to make sure they never ever suffer.

This is what he said...
(And for those of you who don't know, Robbie was adopted from the foster care system after years of severe abuse and neglect.)

"I know how it feels not to be loved or cared for and I don't want any animal of mine to ever feel that way. It's only sad for us when they go to heaven. It's a happy day for them. Thank you for being proud of me. Are you ok, Mom?"

From the mouths of babes.

(As our story is being shared more and more I feel like I need to add a little more context and also give you a deeper glimpse into the heart of my son. We adopt senior dogs. Robbie LOVES adopting senior dogs. He is sadly aware the longer a child remains in foster care the less likely they are to be adopted. He told me once "if all you guys had wanted was a baby, you would have never gotten me." He relates to our "old people" (that's what we call our senior dogs) in much the same way.
He has also reminded me on several occasions that it doesn't matter how long you have something for how much you love it. I asked him what he meant and he said "well you've only known me for two years but you love me like it's been forever." Yes, my son is the coolest.)
 

Spectator

Well-Known Member
Jan 15, 2021
866
1,588
I was driving home the other night, over 4 hours into my trip all of a sudden bright flashing blue lights pop on in my rear view mirror. I knew I wasn't speeding so I'm thinking wtf as I slow and begin looking for a place to pull over. I took another glance in my mirror and there were TWO sets of headlights.
Whew. Too bad for the car behind me.
 

Treebeard

Oops, just stepped on a Lorax.
Lifetime Member
Dec 23, 2015
4,996
26,140
Regardless of your politics, The West Wing was a well written show.

This clip gets me every time. One of the better TV depictions of a military Honor Guard.

 

Gatordiddy

Member in good standing
Lifetime Member
Jul 23, 2014
11,718
26,473
Regardless of your politics, The West Wing was a well written show.

This clip gets me every time. One of the better TV depictions of a military Honor Guard.



Wow.. thanks for posting that.

My Dad was Air Force but a Marine color guard laid him to rest at the Veterans cemetery in Bushnell. Impressive and moving as hell.
 

B52G8rAC

SAC Trained Warrior
Lifetime Member
Feb 15, 2016
5,914
11,080
Wow.. thanks for posting that.

My Dad was Air Force but a Marine color guard laid him to rest at the Veterans cemetery in Bushnell. Impressive and moving as hell.
My your dad rest high on that mountain with his brothers in arms. Vaya con Dios; my deepest condolences on your loss.
 

Marine1

Semper Fidelis
Dec 20, 2015
2,923
8,113
Regardless of your politics, The West Wing was a well written show.

This clip gets me every time. One of the better TV depictions of a military Honor Guard.



This really hits home. Brought me to tears. Marine funerals were tough….some were absolutely gut wrenching….all were an honor.

You knew they brought peace and pride to the families.
 

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