I was stranded in Little Rock, as most of you know, having been aboard an MD80 at 37,000 feet over eastern Arkansas when the terrorists struck. Mr. Earl Timmons, who was visiting in Tyler, volunteered to come to pick me up, arriving at the motel where I had found lodging at about 5:00 PM. It is about a 4 and ½ to 5 hour drive each way. I got to bed about midnight, and, after a very restive night, got up at 5:00 AM. I worked on my "word from" article, as well as answering a host of Emails, and then did a television program on that Wednesday morning, hoping that we could put it on FedEx, get it to Chicago in time, and that they would substitute this new program — a program which dealt with all the prophetic significance of the attack — for the standard, doctrinal kind of program I had done on Monday. Since I was to be gone, I also did about a 40 minute address to our local Tyler church, which was played here, together with my TV tape, in my absence.
Much to my embarrassment, chagrin, frustration --- the planes were not flying, and it seemed impossible to get the tape to Chicago on time! How FRUSTRATING it is, not to be able to communicate INSTANTLY with our viewers when such a huge, unprecedented thing occurs!
As I write, my program has just been shown on WGN — a standard, "doctrinal" program, and not the one I did immediately following the disaster! How I hope we can eventually have the wherewithal to correct this frustrating situation!
I kept trying to resume my trip to Norfolk in the next few days; was finally re-booked on the same American Airlines flight out of Tyler at 6:18 AM on Friday. I arrived at the airport at 5:00, after getting up at 3:30 AM., only to be told the flight had been canceled. They re-booked me on a delta flight which was supposed to leave at 9:00 AM, and go to Houston instead of Dallas, and then connect to Norfolk. The Delta flight was an hour late, so I finally left Tyler’s airport (after having to completely unpack my bag and have it searched; even down to taking sox out of shoes, feeling them, looking into the shoes; having my Bible opened, and making sure there was no compartment inside — there were 3 Tyler police there, and the entry to the airport had been barricaded, so I had to carry my bags from a distant parking lot) at 10:00 AM. The flight was late out of Houston, and I did not arrive in Norfolk until 8:30 Eastern time — a long, tiring day.
I tried to call Mr. George Trent, who had come to Norfolk for the personal-appearance campaign, but he was out to dinner, having waiting a long time for me, and finally thinking I was delayed (true); left him a message, and began meeting some of my old shipmates who had been aboard the USS ANTIETAM (CV-36), an aircraft carrier, during the Korean War. Mr. Trent called me the next morning, and we went to breakfast together. Neither of us had any idea whatsoever how many people to expect at the meeting, for we had no group meeting in the area; no local host, and no TV coverage. I was very pleased that 77 people showed up! I spoke about the attack, of course, and outlined many scenarios which could occur as a result; among them a global economic slump; greater recession, or even a global depression; an attack against various Arab nations from the US, which might result in Saddam Hussein attacking Israel with chemical or biological weapons; the possibility that Israel might retaliate with nuclear weapons; that Russia and Europe would become involved; and how the events portrayed in Daniel 11:40-45 might eventually occur. It was very sobering, and the people were extremely responsive. As a result of the meeting, we raised up two hosted fellowship groups; quite a number of families indicated they wished to begin meeting on a regular basis in Norfolk, and several others wanted a group started in Richmond. I visited with many of those who attended; almost half of them were meeting me in person for the first time — many told me they had listened to the program for many years; some, for decades! There was a couple present who I had met before, at the Feast in Florida, I believe, and who told me that the wife was a piano player, and the husband was a song leader! We were very pleased with that!
That evening, I had the opportunity to attend the final banquet of the Antietam reunion — the 50th reunion of the ship, but my very first. President Bush had sent a letter of congratulation to all of those attending — I have a copy of it with me. I met the outgoing and incoming presidents; and many others. In conversation with one man, who had been among the Marine group aboard, he told me of how a hung bomb had come loose, and caromed down the flight deck, coming to rest not far from the 40mm quad. anti-aircraft gun tub where he was, and how he had run out, together with a buddy, physically picked up that 250 pound bomb, and ran to the deck edge elevator, and thrown it overside! In amazement, I told him, "I SAW YOU DO THAT! I had been "Captain’s talker" on the bridge, and was looking over the parapet high on the "Island" of the ship when the bomb came loose (we had been warned that a plane was landing with a hung bomb aboard; the pilot had tried steep dives and sudden pullouts many times, trying to jettison the bomb into the sea) — we were at battle stations. I had seen the plane land; the bomb come loose, and skid toward me; saw the fellows grab it, and hustle it over the side. In my "cruise book" (like a journal of our 9 month cruise offshore Korea) is a clear picture of the plane landing, the bomb already skipping along well forward of the aircraft! There is a circle drawn around the bomb, to point it out. I said to him, "Let me shake your hand again! You may have saved my life!" I was surprised at how many of those present (there were 250 of us) who knew me — not from my having been a shipmate, but from my more than 45 years on radio and television!
I was very honored when the two presidents asked me if I would speak to them that night at the banquet. We were seated in a large ballroom with crystal chandeliers, and a band stand. A long dais flanked the front wall. The Mayor of Norfolk gave a short speech about the attack; presented a plaque to us which included the history of the Battle of Antietam Creek in Virginia, and commented that the losses in that, one of the bloodiest battles of the Civil Wars were about the same as the loss of life in the attack on the twin trade towers. I was introduced, and spoke for about 7 to 10 minutes. I characterized September 11th at a "day which will live in infamy;" told them where I had been — how I had tried to join them on the first day of their reunion. I told them that "any religion which promises instant entry into their version of heaven by murdering helpless, innocent civilians; men, women, and children, is a hateful, satanic religion!" I was interrupted three times by applause. At the end, I said "I know that all of us in this room, were we young again, like we were aboard our ship, would be standing at the gangplank, with our sea bags packed, wanting to go aboard, and go over there, and get those guys!" I was given a standing ovation. Seated at my table was a couple who came in late; somber, with their cell phone in hand. They, and another couple there were from New York. Both of them had sons in law who were NYC firemen, and who were missing. As I looked at the deep grief and distress playing over their faces; saw the woman toying with her food, I expressed my deep empathy toward them both. The incoming president read a lengthy prayer for the victims and loved ones, and there was not a dry eye in the room. Of course, these were all former military, and World War 2 and Korean war veterans, and all were united in their deep outrage and anger; their sorrow for the victims. I was certainly one of the lesser known sailors aboard my ship. But I was deeply honored to be asked to speak to them. I knew they represented the Catholic as well as many different Protestant religions, and so, though I did not go into any doctrinal discussion, I did say that our God is a God who gives us the love of life; that Christ said "I am the resurrection and the life," and that "He that believeth in me, though he die, yet shall he be made alive." It was an unforgettable experience for me, and I am very glad I was able to attend.
As I arrive back home, I find that the casualty list is far, far below what I had originally thought. I had thought that perhaps 20, 30, or 50 thousand may have died. Now, it appears the total casualty toll will be under 10,000, counting those aboard all the aircraft, the Pentagon, and the Trade Towers. Yet, a HORRIBLE death toll — THOUSANDS of helpless victims, suddenly killed by the most vicious, Satanic murderers known to mankind. As I write, I hear the economic loss is a staggering FOUR HUNDRED BILLION dollars; that the IMF and World Bank have postponed their meeting; that the interest rate has been lowered by another ½ point, and that, even though global stock markets are down, many are urging restraint.
I hear this morning that 91% approve of the way President Bush is handling the situation; that there are huge anti-American demonstrations in cities all over the Islamic world; that the Taliban in Afghanistan has amassed 20,000 troops near the Pakistan border; that US embassy personnel have been ordered out of Pakistan. Of course, I know all of us are WATCHING as never before; wondering when, and where, and with what force the US will strike, and what will be the fallout when vicious, hate-filled fanatics "retaliate for the retaliation!" Arrests are being made. The identity of all the hijackers is now known. I must tell you of how I learned a bit more about the aircraft which plunged into the ground in Pennsylvania: I was reading the Norfolk newspaper as I waited for my plane to depart yesterday, and learned that famous golf pro Arnold Palmer was in the region; he had flown his private jet to Norfolk to dedicate a golf course. He commented that the plane had gone down only a few miles from his home, and that a friend or family member had said they saw it; that "it was rolling, and all over the sky." This confirms what we all suspected; that those brave passengers and crew were STRUGGLING with those vicious killers; that they knew they were going to die anyway, and were able to thwart the terrorist’s plans to proceed to Washington, and perhaps crash into the White House or the Capitol building!
As I am able, I will be continually updating this "word from" column with additional comments.
THANKS to all of those who are standing with us in this "work of the Watchman!" By all means, COME TO THE FEAST this year — it will be the most meaningful ever — of that I have no doubt!
In Jesus’ name,
P. S. Something has just been brought to my attention. On the 18th of August I was speaking before a group in Lexington, Kentucky. At one point I was recounting the time Jesus was talking to the disciples about the temple and how "the days will come, in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down (Luke 21:6, Mat. 24:2, Mark 13:2)." I then went on to describe what this would be like for us in the "here and now". I then stated...
"That would be tantamount to saying; driving down Wall Street in New York, you are going to see the day when it is a pile of rubble. There will not be the Twin Trade Towers, there will not be the Chrysler building; there will not be the Empire State Building..........it will be GROUND LEVEL."
An astounding analogy, given the events of the past week!