The 10th Anniversary, part 2

F-16 pilot was ready to give her life on Sept. 11

“We wouldn’t be shooting it down. We’d be ramming the aircraft,” Penney recalls of her charge that day. “I would essentially be a kamikaze pilot.” ... “Lucky, you’re coming with me,” barked Col. Marc Sasseville.

They were gearing up in the pre-flight life-support area when Sasseville, struggling into his flight suit, met her eye.

“I’m going to go for the cockpit,” Sasseville said.

She replied without hesitating.

“I’ll take the tail.”

It was a plan. And a pact.

A truly memorable moment with President George Bush
Bush pauses to comfort teen
'This girl lost her mom in the World Trade Center on 9-11'

"This girl lost her mom in the World Trade Center on 9-11."

Bush stopped and turned back.

"He changed from being the leader of the free world to being a father, a husband and a man," Faulkner said. "He looked right at her and said, 'How are you doing?' He reached out with his hand and pulled her into his chest."

Powerful photo by the girl's father, Lynn Faulkner
(h/t Kathleen Gee at HillBuzz, who speaks for so many when she writes, "Thank you, Mr. President, for your concern, compassion and human decency.")

Recently in Washington, the president said he is grateful for the prayers of the people. His remarks came in a December 13 meeting with representatives from several state-based think tanks. In that meeting I observed firsthand why presidents, especially wartime presidents, need prayer.

Brandon Dutcher December 21, 2001 in The Oklahoman

September 11 Television Archive
This collection contains television news programs recorded live from around September 11, 2001 by the non-profit Television Archive to help patrons research this important part of United States history.

As this chart from the Heritage Foundation shows, there have been at least 40 domestic terror plots –an average of four per year– foiled since September 11th, 2001. (h/t Public Secrets c/o Phineas at Sister Toldjah)