We've forgotten this moment as we posted our pictures. I'd like the thoughts of other cruisers. I know this meant a lot to me. I hope it did to all of you as well.

Commonsense

Your thoughts?

How very touching to hear about this.....thanks much.

She's not exaggerating. It was almost impossible to get the flowers into the sea. A powerful updraft tore them from our hands and lofted them two, three, four decks over our heads. A couple of them kept spiralling higher until I lost sight of them. It was an eerie event, almost as though the sea was refusing our offering while the wind rushed to embrace it.

I don't know what significance that had, but you can read all sorts of symbolism into it. To me, it felt like powerful forces were at work, and that our unity was awakening a formidable spirit.

But then, I've always been something of a romantic ...

We've forgotten this moment as we posted our pictures. I'd like the thoughts of other cruisers. I know this meant a lot to me. I hope it did to all of you as well.

I've not forgotten. I was only disappointed we didn't do it earlier as originally planned. It was a lovely tribute and any chance to sing God Bless America is worth it.

It was very fitting that they blew right back into our lives.

Here are the Flowers that we threw overboard.

Thanks for posting this Julie.

Bob got this on video. It was, indeed, an incredible sight.

I was reminded of a saying: The light of God surrounds the departed. The love of God enfolds them. The power of God protects them. Where ever God is they are. The presence of God watches over them.

I felt like God's hand reached out and protected all of us as we stood there and let us know that they are not only with Him, but will always be with us as well. In our hearts, in our minds, in our memories.

FReepers often cause me to shed tears with their wonderful freepin' ways. And this time is no exception. Thanks for sharing this moment.

Bump

It was a very special moment in our cruise. You know, when you're standing on the deck of an ocean liner, looking out across the sea, you feel so very small, so insignificant. Then we tossed our roses out and they whipped back to us, and you know, we're not so very insignificant. We're doing a good thing. We're fighting a good and just fight. We must never, ever let go. We must do it for ourselves, and for those that have given their lives for us. They're with us and we must never, ever let them down.

BKO, BCM and Chief Negotiator! I knew of BKO, the other two were also killed in some way on 9-11? Didn't know! My prayers to all three families.

A powerful updraft tore them from our hands and lofted them two, three, four decks over our heads. A couple of them kept spiralling higher until I lost sight of them.

Yes! This was my view also. The red and whie roses I watched spiraled up into the sky, flying as high and far as I could see. I thought they flew to heaven.

I couldn't help but notice while singing God Bless America what beautiful voices freepers have.

Thank you Cyber Liberty and Slip18 for the beautiful roses and for one of the most moving and meaningful moments of the cruise.

An excellent tribute to excellent people. Their spirit did indeed come back to you. God likes to give good messages on occasion at times. returning roses was one such message.

A very thoughtful and moving memorial....

Thank you Commonsense for arranging this! It was a very somber and yet inspirational moment!

As I let my flower go, I prayed, "Please bless our country."

The flower went straight up and back, and appeared to continue upwards.

I'm with Iron Jack: I think that more than a symbolic event took place. "When two or three gather in my name...I will be there."

BCM was a Battalion Chief with the NYFD and was killed when the WTC collapsed. Chief Negotiator was a beloved FReeper who died after 9/11, unrelated to those events.

Thanks, Nick. I was hoping there were some still photos of this moment.

Thank you for this much needed post!!

What a moving experience that evening was. Sad, Yet peaceful. The part that is most memorable to me is when we all let the roses go... and said goodbye to each person. My deepest sympathy's to all families and friends personally touched.

God bless America, And he does on a daily basis!! AMEN !