It’s interesting how some dates are so filled with memories.  First there’s this day, 11 September 1992, twenty years ago, when while on a corporate retreat my wife and I huddled through the eye of Iniki, the most powerful hurricane to strike the Hawaiian Islands in recorded history. Already well circulated, I made this YouTube video last year (many will recognize the music).  For once 20 years seems about right.

Then, of course, we all have our memories of a beautiful Tuesday morning (at least here in the Northeast) eleven years ago (such an iconic number now). Here in Concord many of us remember Al Filipov who was booked on another flight to Los Angeles out of Logan and at the last minute switched over to his favored AA Flight 11, a flight he’d flown so often that he knew most of the cabin crew.

I’d had a few engaging conversations with Al through the years, certainly engaging enough that I didn’t notice that he and I shared the same shirt size.  I only discovered this when I received a pile of nice “yard work” shirts from Al’s wife, Loretta.  They were his and I wear them on occasion to this day, as I am now in great comfort.

As we know from a previous selection, Five For Fighting is the stage name for Vladimir John Ondrasik, who released his second record, “America Town” in September of 2000.  It wasn’t until the following year, however, after Ondrasik’s performance at the Concert for New York City, that Five For Fighting became a household name.  And this song became an “anthem” for stouthearted first responders.

LISTEN TO TODAY’S SELECTION – Tuesday 11 September

Superman (It’s Not Easy)

 I can’t stand to fly

I’m not that naive

I’m just out to find

The better part of me

 I’m more than a bird…I’m more than a plane

I’m more than some pretty face beside a train

It’s not easy to be me

 I wish that I could cry

Fall upon my knees

Find a way to lie

About a home I’ll never see

 It may sound absurd…but don’t be naive

Even heroes have the right to bleed

I may be disturbed…but won’t you concede

Even heroes have the right to dream

And it’s not easy to be me

Up, up and away…away from me

Well it’s all right…You can all sleep sound tonight

I’m not crazy…or anything…

I can’t stand to fly

I’m not that naive

Men weren’t meant to ride

With clouds between their knees

I’m only a man in a silly red sheet

Digging for kryptonite on this one way street

Only a man in a funny red sheet

Looking for special things inside of me

Inside of me …… inside of me …ya inside of me… inside… of me

 I’m only a man in a funny red sheet

I’m only a man looking for a dream

I’m only a man in a funny red sheet

 It’s not easy …

It’s not easy to be… me…