On hallowed ground.

September 11, 2002 5:09 AM

On hallowed ground. Dave Barry writes about the Flight 93 memorial in Pennsylvania.
posted by owillis (15 comments total)

I wondered "What can Dave Barry write about this?". Maybe the citizens of Miami see his serious writing more often, but that was a first for me. It's one of the better pieces I've read on this subject.
posted by ?! at 5:17 AM on September 11, 2002

Very simple, very touching. Thank you, owillis.
posted by UnReality at 5:28 AM on September 11, 2002

I was surprised too. Excellent article. Thanks.
posted by lampshade at 5:54 AM on September 11, 2002

Dave gets it.
posted by tommasz at 6:16 AM on September 11, 2002

I wont go on about this except to say I only believe about 10% of the flight 93 story. I believe the part about trying to wrest control of the plane from the terrorists but that is the extent of credibility. America is famous for constructing heroes to order and the "lets roll" sound too much like a monday night movie script. Sorry for the hurt feelings but its just a gut feeling I have
posted by hoopyfrood at 6:29 AM on September 11, 2002

Good one. Thanks.
posted by gottabefunky at 6:38 AM on September 11, 2002

Somebody - bet on it - will quote the Gettysburg Address, the part about giving the last full measure of devotion. The speeches will be moving, but they will also prove Lincoln's point, that the words of the living can add nothing to the deeds of the dead.

When I heard the Gettysburg Address being read at the Ground Zero ceremony this morning, this is exactly what I thought of.
posted by ColdChef at 6:55 AM on September 11, 2002

Silent Soldiers on a silver screen
Framed in fantasies and dragged in dream
Unpaid actors of the mystery
The mad director knows that freedom will not make you free
And what's this got to do with me
I declare the war is over
It's over, it's over

- Phil Ochs, 1968
posted by PrinceValium at 6:55 AM on September 11, 2002

An incredibly moving article.
posted by insulglass at 7:01 AM on September 11, 2002

Very nice. Thanks.
posted by bullitt 5 at 7:21 AM on September 11, 2002

I wont go on about this except to say I only believe about 10% of the flight 93 story. I believe the part about trying to wrest control of the plane from the terrorists but that is the extent of credibility.

So does this mean that all of the people who spoke by telephone with passengers on the flight (i.e. family members and the Airfone operator who spoke with Todd Beamer) were participants in some kind of conspiracy to create heros? Cynicism has value sometimes, but not in this case.
posted by Durwood at 7:32 AM on September 11, 2002

I wont go on about this except to say I only believe about 10% of the flight 93 story. I believe the part about trying to wrest control of the plane from the terrorists but that is the extent of credibility. America is famous for constructing heroes to order and the "lets roll" sound too much like a monday night movie script.

You keep saying that and Buzz Aldrin's gonna kick your ass!
posted by ColdChef at 7:32 AM on September 11, 2002

for those who have rolled, we salute you.

*salutes*
posted by kliuless at 8:01 AM on September 11, 2002

Silence and Respect.

Very fitting tribute. Well done, Mr. Barry and thank you owillis.
posted by Joey Michaels at 2:17 PM on September 11, 2002

Dave gets it.

How true, tommasz. For all his wonderful ability to write like a complete goofball, Dave does indeed seem to get it. And how and when to drop serious pieces in among the humorous ones.
posted by LeLiLo at 8:55 AM on September 12, 2002