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Prayer Requests:
Please keep the following AOS-USA Members in your prayer:
A prayer of thanksgiving for the healing of a bad staph infection for Fr John R. Olsavsky, Cruise Ship Priest Member.
For the repose of the soul of Fr. James F. Barry, AOS-USA Cruise Ship Priest, who passed suddenly
Fr. Tim Brian - Cruise Ship Priest member, who is facing heart problems.
Fr. Marvin Klemmer - Cruise Ship Priest member facing illness.
Fr. Donald Koch - Cruise Ship Priest member facing illness.
For those recovering in the wake of Hurricane Isaac
For those lost on September 11, 2001 & for all those families, co-workers, and friends forever scarred by their loss.
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www.aos-usa.org
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Remembering September 11
Dear Friends,
On this day, September 11, we are reminded of events 11 years ago, that still cause us to be shaken.
I was volunteering with AOS-USA at the time, and was still a full time Special Education teacher, when we received word of the attacks on the twin towers.
I knew Fr Sinclair was in DC that day for meetings, and that all of the US Bishops were also gathered for meetings in DC that day. I immediately began praying for them, and praying for the kids in my classroom who were now witnesses at the ages of 9, 10 and 11 to one of the most frightening and truly evil events in the history of th world. I remember how we in the schools worried about what this meant for our country. Was the entire country under attack? How were we to protect the innocent children entrusted to us?
I remember that it was about 2 weeks later when planes started flying over head again. We were outside enjoying recess, when a small plane started flying overhead, and all the kids stopped dead in their tracks, looking at me from the top of the monkey bars, and from swings, and waiting for me to tell them if this was ok or not. I realized that their world had changed for ever.
And then I remember that on the morning of September 11, while we were trying to process what was happening, my Mom called, and told me that they had just gotten word that my brother's cancer had returned, and we all knew this was probably it for him. All this on my Dad's Birthday.
It's a day I'll never forget, and I was far from New York.....
We have much to be thankful for. For the "boring" days that we don't remember. What a grace those days are.
Let us continue to pray for those forever lost and forever affected by the hatred of a few people. And let us pray that our love and kindness will one day overcome all hatred.
Doreen M. Badeaux
Secretary General
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 Reflections on September 11, 2001
By Christopher Wm. Fogarty
AOS-USA Mariner Member and Vice-President
When Fr. Sinclair asked me to share my reflections of 9/11, I was hesitant. After all, I wasn't injured; I didn't lose any family in the attacks; I hadn't had to run for my life, covered in soot and ash. But, like millions of people the world over, I will never forget the events of that day. These are my memories of 102 minutes on a clear September morning and the days, weeks, months and years that followed.
My first realization that something had happened which would set this day apart from all others was when I was sitting at my desk on the 36th floor of the MetLife Building in Midtown Manhattan. At 9:03 AM I heard what sounded like a clap of thunder, what I later learned was the sound of the second plane impacting the South tower. Looking out from the North side, I couldn't see a cloud in the sky. There was a television on the floor, and everyone was huddled around witnessing everything that was occurring just four miles south of where we were. I walked around to the South side of our floor and had a clear view of the towers, flames and black smoke billowing from the gaping holes in the sides. My heart sank as the slow realization came over me that the city that I loved was under attack.
After rushing back to my desk and making a few phone calls to let family and friends know that I was okay and to pass the business of the day off to my colleagues in Houston, I learned that the building was being shut down. The MetLife Building (formerly the Pan Am Building) sits directly above Grand Central Terminal, a major transportation hub and a National Historic Landmark. We all felt that there was a very real possibility the attacks would continue and could target buildings like ours next.
I remember exiting the building and walking across town to the Port Authority Bus Terminal and looking downtown at every cross street. I could see the towers, still burning but standing strong. At one point, I looked downtown and they were just gone. I said a silent prayer for all the souls that I knew were in those buildings. Commuters, like myself, making a daily living. I would learn later of all the stories of heroism of fire and police personnel who had make the ultimate sacrifice trying to save the lives of others, not only in New York but in Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania, and I would think of Jesus on the cross.
Realizing the Bus Terminal as well as the bridges and tunnels were closed, I knew there was no way to get to my home in New Jersey. I made my way to Holy Cross Catholic Church and was surprised at the number of people outside, sitting on the steps. I was equally surprised at the relatively few people actually inside the church. After spending time before the Blessed Sacrament, I did the only thing I felt I could do at the time. I headed north to St. Clare's hospital to donate blood. When I got there, they were turning people away. It was apparent that there wasn't going to be the number of survivors that was initially expected.
As evening fell, I was struck by the eerie silence that had fallen upon the city. The only sound I remember hearing is that of military jets passing over the island. There were a few police cruisers and black Suburbans coming from downtown, completely covered in a thick coat of gray soot. I began to wonder if New York and all of America would ever come back from this. Despite what I was witnessing, I continued to pray, knowing that God in His divine mercy would carry us through.
After my cell phone hadn't worked since early morning, I suddenly received a call from a friend, Tom Gallagher, a tanker broker and avid sailor. He offered me a room at the New York Yacht Club's clubhouse in Midtown where he was a member. Although grateful for a place to lay my head, the irony of spending the night in the comparative lap of luxury while people were dying downtown kept me from sleeping at all, and I spent the night watching the replay of the day's events on cable news. I finally made it home the next morning, weary and emotionally drained.
Every September 11th, I am reminded of the seemingly insignificant details of the time following the attacks; hearing of all the parents of my daughter's high school classmates, never again coming home; learning of the neighbors and friends in the maritime industry who had been lost in the towers; seeing the chalk marks on the tires of vehicles at the local park-and-ride whose owners had taken a downtown bus that morning; walking past the makeshift memorials covered with photos and descriptions of loved ones still missing, with desperate pleas to call if anyone had seen them. Haunting images that remain with me to this day.
Through it all, there were memories that I hold dear. Images of the World Trade Center cross, a sign of consolation and hope for many during those dark days. The photo, called an American Pietà, of Fr. Mychal Judge, FDNY Chaplain and Victim 0001. The moving and emotional homily of Msgr. Alliegro, the pastor of our local parish, after losing so many of our fellow parishioners. And the funerals, true witness of a faith-filled people turning to God.
I haven't been to Ground Zero. I haven't gone to any of the memorials at the site. And, since eventually leaving New York for Houston, I haven't been back. I do, though, get a lump in my throat whenever I hear Amazing Grace played on the bagpipes, or hear New York, New York after a Giants game, or listen to God Bless America during the Yankees seventh-inning stretch. Like it or not, I'm a New Yorker ... and always will be.
I ask you remember the victims and families of the September 11th attacks in your prayers. I would ask you also to remember the survivors of that day, and the burden they carry in their hearts.
May God bless you, my friends, and may God bless America.
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Glenn J. Winuk - A Fallen American Hero
Courtesy Dennis L. Bryant
Bryant's Maritime Consulting
11 September 2012
Today marks the eleventh anniversary of the horrific terrorist attacks in Manhattan, the Pentagon, and Pennsylvania. Approximately 3,000 people died as a result of those attacks.
Most were dedicated firefighters and police in New York City and many were innocent victims who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
One, though, was a maritime lawyer who worked several blocks away from the World Trade Center. After the planes hit the Twin Towers and people started fleeing the area, Glenn J. Winuk, a volunteer firefighter in his hometown on Long Island, grabbed a response kit from a parked fire truck and went to the South Tower to render assistance to persons in need.
His remains were identified months later through DNA analysis. He represents all that is good and true in Americans and deserves to be long-remembered. (9/9/11). |
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White House - Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance
Courtesy: Dennis L. Bryant
Bryant's Maritime Consulting
11 September 2012
President Barack Obama issued a Proclamation declaring September 11, 2012 as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in honor of the individuals who lost their lives during the horrific terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. (9/10/12).
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US heavylift vessel to leave Venezuela after arms charges dropped
Courtesy: Lloyd's List
Monday 10 September 2012, 17:05
by Rajesh Joshi
Crew held for 13 days after rifles for defence against pirates found on board
A STICKY situation involving the US-flag heavylift ship Ocean Atlas in Maracaibo, Venezuela appeared to have been resolved today, after local authorities dropped charges relating to alleged arms trafficking after rifles used by the ship to guard against pirates were found on board.
Mark Miller, spokesman for Crowley Liner Services, which operates the ship, said on Monday morning that the ship had been cleared to sail but was still at the Venezuelan port at the time of writing.
The vessel was expected to leave soon, Mr Miller told Lloyd's List.
Ocean Atlas has a crew of 14 US nationals. The Intermarine-owned vessel has been detained in Maracaibo since August 29, initially in a search for narcotics. Sources on the ship indicated that no drugs surfaced despite an exhaustive search that included unloading the cargo and X-rays.
However, the sources said that the search revealed weapons that the ship's security team used during transits through the Gulf of Aden, found inside a locker. The discovery saw the master taken ashore twice, and he appeared before a local court.
There was talk in some quarters that the incident was politically charged, with President Hugo Chavez campaigning for re-election next month.
However, US Department of State acting deputy spokesperson Patrick Ventrell sought to downplay this at a media briefing on Friday afternoon.
"We understand this has to do with questions about customs paperwork for some rifles they had on board for self-protection," Mr Ventrell said.
He batted off suggestions that the lack of full ambassadorial relations with Venezuela had hindered the US government's treatment of the case. The US does not have an ambassador in the country and diplomatic affairs are being handled by other senior officials.
"We still have a large mission in Venezuela with appropriate consular personnel," Mr Ventrell said. "Obviously, we have important interests in Venezuela; American citizens who live there. So we raise these cases. We have a senior and experienced diplomat who runs the mission - which continues to be engaged."
However, other sources have alleged that the US government's response to the incident was not as robust as it could have been, especially compared with actions taken by other organisations after the controversy intensified on Friday.
These included the Apostleship of the Sea and the Council of American Master Mariners, and the two unions to which the crew belong; the Seafarers' International Union and the American Maritime Officers' Union.
The SIU said in a statement at the weekend: "We encourage all concerned parties to be patient and to respect Venezuela's systems and processes. At the same time, we are confident that Ocean Atlas has followed all proper procedures and protocols, and deserves to be released."
It declined to comment further on the case.
Article from Lloyd's List
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| Prayer for Hurricane Season
O God, Master of this passing world, hear the humble voices of your children. The Sea of Galilee obeyed your order and returned to its former quietude; you are still the Master of land and sea. We live in the shadow of a danger over which we have no control. The Gulf, like a provoked and angry giant, can awake from its seeming lethargy, overstep its conventional boundaries, and invade our land and spread chaos and disaster. During this hurricane season, we turn to You, O loving Father. Spare us from past tragedies whose memories are still so vivid and whose wounds seem to refuse to heal with the passing of time. O Virgin, Star of the Sea, Our Beloved Mother, we ask you to plead with your Son in our behalf, so that spared from the calamities common to this area and animated with a true spirit of gratitude, we will walk in the footsteps of your Divine Son to reach the heavenly Jerusalem where a storm-less eternity awaits us.
Amen.
Originally dedicated to the victims of Hurricane Audrey in 1957. - Fr. Al Volpe, Cameron Parish, LA
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