BMX Mania / Gene`s BMX Editorial
9-11 Six-Month Anniversary

BMX Mania News

Monday - March 11, 2002

September 11, 2001 - BMX Mania Editorial - The staff of BMX Mania would like to dedicate a portion of our efforts today to the memory of the terrible events of September 11th, 2001. In the words of Gene B, a BMX Mania contributor from Wenatchee, Washington-USA - "Today 03/11/2002 is the six-month anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, an emotional experience that changes the world for ever, and a day we all never will for get................... Please take a time out in your day and remember all the people that has fallen on Sept. 11, 2001 A turning point in so many people's lives."

The events of September 11th will forever be emblazoned on the minds of anyone who watched as evil struck at the heart of liberty and freedom, destroying the lives of people from MANY countries, on the soil of my homeland, the United State of America. It seems to me that this strikes at the soul of what our great sport of BMX is all about. Competing together, regardless of race, nationality, religion or gender in a format, that combines, the Top Pros with the newest racer. I like that. It brings life down to a real community and seems to me to be a great format to make friends in, celebrate a person's physical skills, and just Plain Old Get Along (Well, MOST of the time! :-) and have some fun  in! The attacks of September 11th endeavored to tell us something different, and I think that BMXers all across the world will stand up for our place in the world, no matter how "small" our efforts seem in comparison to some.

I have not made a big deal public ally about my whereabouts over the last few months, but in case you didn't know, dear reader, I have dedicated the last two and a half months, away from my family, to supporting U.S. military personnel in England, where they are serving in the day to day struggle to help end these kinds of violent attacks. This has meant updating our little BMX News Notes from the beautiful United Kingdom, not really a big deal, thru the wonder of the internet, where it kind of doesn't matter where you up load a web site from. Whether it's the Midwest of the United States or Cambridgeshire in the beautiful United Kingdom!

Being a professional religious youth worker by trade, my efforts are aimed at the family members of active duty U.S. Air Force men and women, and without going in to a lot of details, I have had the time of my life, working with these dedicated people who undertake seriously the protection of freedom, where ever it may take them around the world. It's been an honor to serve them. Now it's time to return to home, and BMXing, as the heart of the BMX season is upon me. It's another exciting activity, maybe a little less on the life and death side of life, but important nonetheless.

Not everyone can take time away from their day to day life to "volunteer" in this kind of service, but you can, "serve" in some other way. Remember the victims of this terrible tragedy in some concrete way, and I challenge you to do that. Honor the victims, and lift up those who lay their lives on the line in their service to freedom. Strengthen your own efforts to promote Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Freedom! Maybe thru BMX, or maybe thru your job, family, religious prusuits or education. But don't forget! Freedom is a wonderful thing, DO NOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED! - Jerry Landrum, BMXmania.com