Eight years ago today this country was attacked by cowards using our air transportation as weapons to kill nearly 3,000 citizens (American and foreign) in and around the twin towers, the pentagon, and the heroes on United flight 93 who helped bring that plane down before the terrorists could ram it in to the nation’s capital building.
I still remember the way I felt that day. The fact is, I remember that feeling every day. I am not one of those who have forgotten. Too many in this country have forgotten how they felt the day America was attacked. Too many in this country have forgotten about those who died a senseless unnecessary death that day. Too many have forgotten the way they felt the day after – on 9/12 – and the way we as Americans, and many of our allies around the world, united to fight a common enemy.
The purpose of this post is to remember one of those who died and to help keep the memory of that day alive for everyone. Project 2996 was set up to help keep the memory alive of those who died. I am participating this year and every year from this point forward. Today I would like you all to get to know Moises N. Rivas and to remember him.
Moises N. Rivas was just 29 years young when American Airlines flight 11 slammed in to the North Tower. Moises was a staff cafeteria cook working at the Windows of The World restaurant on the top floor of the building. Moises is survived by his wife Elizabeth, his stepdaughter Linda, his son Moises, Jr., and his daughter Moesha.
Moises immigrated from Ecuador with dreams of one day becoming a rock star or a top chef. At the time of his death he was attempting to fulfill both of his dreams – one by being a cook in a prestigious restaurant, the other as a member of a local band as a song-writer and lead singer.
Before the building came down that day, Moises was able to get one final call out to his family. His stepdaughter, Linda answered the phone. His wife Elizabeth was out doing the laundry. When his wife heard the news she called home -the following his her account:
“So I called Linda and said, ‘Linda, did Moises call?’ And she said, ‘Yes, Mami, he said not to worry, he is OK.’
“‘He said, ‘Mami, he loves you no matter what happens. He loves you.’ That’s it.”
Moises never had a chance to call again. Despite the chaos around him he reached out to the ones he loved to give them one last message. I can’t imagine the pain his family felt that day. His son is 12 now and his daughter is 10. My prayers go out to Moises’ family. R.I.P. Moises N. Rivas.
If you’d like to leave a message – you can go here to do so.
September 11th, 2009 at 2:30 pm
Good post my friend!
Reply to Casey Brown-Myers
September 11th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
BoBo:
Some things you never move on from. 9/11 is one. It’s serves as a tragic reminder that a false sense of security can one day awaken us to terrible reality of the real evil that exists in the world today.
Edisto Joe
Reply to Edisto Joe
September 11th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Thank you, Bobo.
Reply to vulcanhammer
September 11th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
I remember that day like it was yesterday. I retired from the Air Force about two months before. As the day unfolded and it became clear what actually happened, I remember a very strong feeling coming over me and my wanting to return to the Air Force and kill the bastards responsible for this.
Reply to Raider Steve
September 11th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
The day the towers were hit I remember how unsurprised I was. Our
aggressive foreign policy around the world gave many people reasons to
hate us, as we have killed thousands of innocents in their homelands
through wars, sanctions, and embargoes, usually to support a global
financial system that exploits and controls nations through debt.
The true evil are those who cast a veil over our eyes as they commit
atrocities in our name, and through fear embolden us to die for their
gain.
Reply to ZMac
September 12th, 2009 at 7:24 am
We should never forget OR forgive. Deepest respect to all the victims and their families, including the 67 Brits who were murdered that day.
Reply to Caledonian Comment
September 12th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Bobo, Thanks for running this story. Having been a chef for twenty five years, I had an opportunity to work at that very same restaurant ( I passed due to the commute from NJ). The chef at Windows; Michael and I had many opportunities to work the same trade shows and benefit fund raisers in the NYNJ area. He survived but lost all his staff. I will never forget looking out from my balcony in NJ in amazement and horror at the black clouds of smoke rising into the air. In disbelief, my wife and I went there only to witness something like never before. The city blocks of twisted metal and people looking for loved ones, left us heartbroken, but strengthened by the resolve of those heroes who gave their lives and those who endless efforts brought some home.
Reply to Ndfence
September 12th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Thanks BobO for your story. My memory of 9-11 began in my office shortly after I had my coffee at 8AM. I was in Port Arthur, TX . One of our clients stopped by to say that a plane had just hit the WTC in NY. Several minutes later, she returned to tell me a 2nd plane had hit a 2nd tower. We all begin listening to the TV in the Conference Room.. The company CEO, VP’s, Subcontractors, Secretary’s, and Janitorial Staff, all were there in the same room holding our breaths. When we learned of the Pentagon also being struck, there was no doubt we were under attack. I saw strangers in that room hugging and weeping with one another knowing that this was the day that changed our way of life. My son called me from across the channel in NJ telling me that he could “taste” the jet fuel in the air, the smoke was drifting over his home.. We both wept. I WILL NEVER FORGET .. To help me deal with this tragedy, I scratched out a poem, “And the Angels Wept”.. I sincerely believed that Angels did weep with all of us that horrible day.
Reply to Jan G.
September 12th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
As a Republican, i love this post. Truly, death is only tragic when it is an American life lost, even if his last name WAS Rivas (dirty immigrant heritage?). But I love getting obsessed with the stories of our dead to strengthen my hate, pride, and resolve against the ENEMY TERRORISTS, whoever they are. Ice all the iraqis and afghans, who cares! They obviously all hate our freedom and they ARE NOT Christians! I take pride in how much blood i can get on my hands for God and Country. Man I love this site, again GREAT POST!
Reply to superpatriot
September 12th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Fuck you, ZMac. I truly hope you don’t live in America. If you do, please move.
Reply to Jeff Perren
September 12th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Fuck you too, Jeff. I’m your guilty conscience, of course you want me to leave.
Reply to ZMac
September 12th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Superpatriot :
Your assertion that “death is only tragic when it is an American life lost” is fuckin’ bullshit. Try telling that to the relatives of the British troops killed in Afghanistan fighting alongside Americans. If an attitude like that is your idea of Christianity, God and Country, you deserve an Islamic bomb up your arse.
Reply to Caledonian Comment
September 12th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
ZMac:
Did you read what you just wrote? What agressive foriegn policy did we have under Clinton for 8 years? You’re spewing standard political science 101. Every freshman in college hears that crap from some self rightous “America sucks” professor. That line of reasoning is so old and boring. If we are so evil, why do people from around the world want in? For decades we have been helping others and we shall continue to do so when called on. You need a hard lesson in life. It’s obvious you care nothing for those who lost their life on 9/11 or the families and children left behind. Even worse, I would imagine by your own words, that you have nothing but contempt for the men and women fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. It dosen’t matter if they agree with you or not, they’re defending your right to say it! You might want to reflect on that!
EJ
Reply to Edisto Joe
September 12th, 2009 at 7:58 pm
ZMac,
I agree with Edisto Joe. You have no clue as to what you are talking about. Was it our aggressive foreign policy that stopped the Nazi from killing more than 6 million (6 million too many) Jews and taking over Europe? Is it our aggressive foreign policy that gives trillions of American tax payer dollars in foreign aide to countries around the world? Is it our aggresive foreign policy that sends billions of dollars to help in disasters around the world? If it our aggresive foreign policy that sends our military around the world to train others to defend themselves? It is our aggresive foreign policy that sends American medical teams all over the world to provide care for people whose own country can’t provide for them?
Can you possibly enlighten us to the aggressive foreign policy that caused terrorist to kill a man in a wheel chair and throw him off a cruise ship at sea? Can you tell me what exactly in our aggressive foreign policy that caused terrorists to fly planes into the WTC?
I was in the military (Air Force) for 20 years. I was at the tip of that “aggressive foreign policy” and I for one can tell you, YOU ARE WRONG! We may not get everything right but we get it right most of the time!!!
@Edisto Joe, you are right and thank you for those words. You wouldn’t be in S.C. would you?
Reply to Raider Steve
September 12th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
GREAT post! I was lucky enough to honor LT. Gullickson
http://www.myjourneytomillions.com/articles/remembering-lt-joseph-gullickson-project-2966/
Reply to My Journey
September 13th, 2009 at 2:28 am
Edisto Joe,Yes i know what i wrote but i think we misunderstand each other. Plus you make many rude assumptions of my character that aren’t true. Nothing in Clinton’s presidency motivated the attacks. No, you should look further back than that. Look up the reasons bin Laden gave for the attacks, to start.The reasons many want to come to America is our Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the strength of our currency. How we have maintained and exercised that post-WW2 power is what has angered many to the point of radicalism. Our comsumptive, decadent way of life while the majority of the planet suffers is what both attracts and repulses people.The difference between you and me is that I care for the victims of 911, AND those thousands killed in retaliation for it, and as the cause for it. My compassion isn’t confined to nationalism. Glenn Beck, whom Bobo supports, stated on his radio show that he ‘hates’ the 911 families and survivors; it took him ‘a year to start hating them’. Search it. I was shocked at the hypocrisy and short-sighted compassion of the article, in the context of this site.What did I say to make you believe i don’t support our military personnel? I see their strength, bravery, and solidarity being exploited for profit and power, and not to uphold our liberties and rights. War profiteering is evil, and i mourn the minds lost to its propaganda.
Reply to ZMac
September 13th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
@Superpatriot – you have got to be the biggest idiot that has posted on this discussion. You obviously are being sarcastic and obviously are another of those loony lefties. While I disagree with ZMac at least he posted truthfully.
@Cal – thanks for the reminder. I have corrected my post. It was an honest oversight.
Reply to The BoBo
September 16th, 2009 at 12:11 am
[...] and News – "September 11 Tribute" EGO – "9/11 8 Years Later" The BoBo Files – "In Memorial – Moises N. Rivas" Just Politics …? – "Legacy of Terrorism Against the U.S. During the [...]
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