#National September 11 Memorial & Museum | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

thepastisalreadywritten · 7 months

Text

By JENNIFER PELTZ

September 11, 2023

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans are looking back on the horror and legacy of 9/11, gathering Monday at memorials, firehouses, city halls and elsewhere to observe the 22nd anniversary of the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil.

Commemorations stretch from the attack sites — at New York’s World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania — to Alaska and beyond.

President Joe Biden is due at a ceremony on a military base in Anchorage.

His visit, en route to Washington, D.C., from a trip to India and Vietnam, is a reminder that the impact of 9/11 was felt in every corner of the nation, however remote.

The hijacked plane attacks claimed nearly 3,000 lives and reshaped American foreign policy and domestic fears.

"On that day, we were one country, one nation, one people, just like it should be. That was the feeling — that everyone came together and did what we could, where we were at, to try to help,” said Eddie Ferguson, the fire-rescue chief in Virginia’s Goochland County.

It’s more than 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the Pentagon and more than three times as far from New York.

But a sense of connection is enshrined in a local memorial incorporating steel from the World Trade Center’s destroyed twin towers.

The predominantly rural county of 25,000 people holds not just one but two anniversary commemorations: a morning service focused on first responders and an evening ceremony honoring all the victims.

Other communities across the country pay tribute with moments of silence, tolling bells, candlelight vigils and other activities.

In Columbus, Indiana, 911 dispatchers broadcast a remembrance message to police, fire and EMS radios throughout the 50,000-person city, which also holds a public memorial ceremony.

Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts raise and lower the flag at a commemoration in Fenton, Missouri, where a “Heroes Memorial” includes a piece of World Trade Center steel and a plaque honoring 9/11 victim Jessica Leigh Sachs.

Some of her relatives live in the St. Louis suburb of 4,000 residents.

“We’re just a little bitty community,” said Mayor Joe Maurath, "but it’s important for us to continue to remember these events. Not just 9/11, but all of the events that make us free.”

New Jersey’s Monmouth County, which was home to some 9/11 victims, made Sept. 11 a holiday this year for county employees so they could attend commemorations.

As another way of marking the anniversary, many Americans do volunteer work on what Congress has designated both Patriot Day and a National Day of Service and Remembrance.

At ground zero, Vice President Kamala Harris is due to join the ceremony on the National September 11 Memorial & Museum plaza.

The event will not feature remarks from political figures, instead giving the podium to victims’ relatives for an hourslong reading of the names of the dead.

James Giaccone signed up to read again this year in memory of his brother, Joseph Giaccone, 43. The family attends the ceremony every year to hear Joseph’s name.

“If their name is spoken out loud, they don’t disappear,” James Giaccone said in a recent interview.

The commemoration is crucial to him.

“I hope I never see the day when they minimize this,” he said. “It’s a day that changed history.”

Biden, a Democrat, will be the first president to commemorate Sept. 11 in Alaska, or anywhere in the western U.S.

He and his predecessors have gone to one or another of the attack sites in most years, though Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Barack Obama each marked the anniversary on the White House lawn at times.

Obama followed one of those observances by recognizing the military with a visit to Fort Meade in Maryland.

First lady Jill Biden is due to lay a wreath at the 9/11 memorial at the Pentagon.

In Pennsylvania, where one of the hijacked jets crashed after passengers tried to storm the cockpit, a remembrance and wreath-laying is scheduled at the Flight 93 National Memorial in Stoystown operated by the National Park Service.

Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff, is expected to attend the ceremony.

The memorial site will offer a new educational video, virtual tour and other materials for teachers to use in classrooms.

Educators with a total of more than 10,000 students have registered for access to the free “National Day of Learning” program, which will be available through the fall, organizers say.

“We need to get the word out to the next generation,” said memorial spokesperson Katherine Hostetler, a National Park Service ranger.

#9/11 #New York #Twin Towers #World Trade Center #Pentagon #Pennsylvania #hijacked plane attacks #Heroes Memorial #Patriot Day #National Day of Service and Remembrance #Flight 93 National Memorial #National Park Service #National Day of Learning #National September 11 Memorial & Museum #11 September 2001 #United States #terrorist attack #terror attack

15 notes · View notes

mixdgrlproblems · 7 months

Text

no day shall erase you from the memory of time - virgil

today is a day of remembrance for all the victims of 9/11, the first responders who put their lives on the line and the families who lost loved ones, friends and co-workers not only in manhattan at the world trade center but at the pentagon in washington, dc and shanksville, pennsylvania.

#september 11 #september 11 2001 #september 11th #9/11 #quote #virgil #national september 11 memorial and museum #day of remembrance #rip #the world trade center #pentagon #shanksville pennsylvania #9/11 attacks #moment of silence

0 notes

reportwire · 2 years

Text

Biden to honor 9/11 victims as shadow of Afghan war looms

2022-09-11 06:18:33 WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden marked the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, laying a wreath at the Pentagon in a somber commemoration held under a steady rain. Sunday’s ceremony occurred a little more than a year after Biden ended the long and costly war in Afghanistan that the U.S. and allies launched in response to the terror attacks. In ending the Afghanistan…

View On WordPress

#21 years since terrorist attack #9/11 anniversary #9/11 memorial #Afghanistan war #honoring victims September 11 #Joe Biden #new york city attack #The National September 11 Memorial Museum

0 notes

aimeedaisies · 7 months

Text

The Princess Royal’s Official Engagements in September 2023

02/09 The King and Queen, Princess Anne and Sir Tim attended the Braemar Gathering at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

03/09 (not counted) The King, Queen, Princess Anne, Sir Tim, PM Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murphy attended the Divine Service at Crathie Kirk Church. ⛪️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

06/09 (unofficial) Princess Anne, along with the Prince and Princess of Wales recorded a special episode of the Good, the Bad and the Rugby, with Mike Tindall, James Haskell and Alex Payne at Windsor Castle. 🏉

07/09 As President of the Riding for the Disabled Association, visited Digswell Place Group, Digswell Place Stables, Welwyn Garden City, to mark its 50th Anniversary. 🐎

As President of UK Fashion and Textile Association, visited MAES London Womenswear Manufacturer. 👗

Sir Tim represented Princess Anne at a Service of Thanksgiving for Sir Matthew Farrer (former Solicitor to the Late Queen) at St Magnus-The-Martyr Church in London. ⛪️

As Patron of the South Georgia Heritage Trust Princess Anne and Sir Tim, attended the Return of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Quest Crow’s Nest Service at All Hallows by the Tower, followed by a Dinner at Trinity House. 🗺️🍽️

08/09 Participated in a Meeting via video link in her role of Chairman of the International Olympic Committee Members Election Commission. 🎥💻

11/09 At Gatcombe Park;

Presented The Princess Royal Award and Royal Dairy Innovation Award. 🏆

Held a Management Team Meeting for the Chaffinch Trust. 💼

Held a Management Team Meeting for Give Them a Sporting Chance. 🏏

12/09 As Patron of the Boston Stump Restoration and Development Appeal, visited completed restoration work at St Botolph's Church in Boston, Lincolnshire. ⛪️

As Patron of Magpas Air Ambulance Capital Campaign, opened a new Air Base at Alconbury Weald. 🚁

As Patron of Maritime UK, attended the London International Shipping Week Tenth Anniversary Reception at Mansion House. 🚢

13/09 In Northern Ireland Princess Anne;

Attended the Department for Business and Trade’s Northern Ireland Business Summit at the International Conference Centre Belfast. 💼

As Patron of the International Sheep Dog Society, lattended the World Sheep Dog Trials at Gill Hall Estate, Dromore. 🐑🐶

Unveiled a Royal British Legion Community Bench in Dromore Square, Dromore. 🌹

Attended the Department for Business and Trade’s Northern Ireland Business Summit Reception at Hillsborough Castle. 👔🇮🇪

14/09 Attended the British Equine Veterinary Association 2023 Congress at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. 🩺🐴

As Patron of the Butler Trust visited Stonnall Road Approved Premises in Walsall. 🏠

Opened the Firefly Woods at Dorothy House Hospice, Winsley House. She unveiled a firefly dedicated to her late parents. 💡

15/09 As Patron of the Restorative Justice Council, opened the Restorative Justice Council Inaugural Northern Ireland Conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland. 🇮🇪⚖️

As Chancellor of the University of the Highlands and Islands, attended the North, West and Hebrides Annual Graduation Ceremony and Celebration of Success and Achievement at St Peter’s and St Andrew’s Church, Thurso. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🎓

18/09 The Princess Royal, As Guardian of Give Them A Sporting Chance, visited the Rivertime Boat Trust at the River and Rowing Museum in Henley on Thames. 🦽🚣‍♀️

As Patron of the National Transport Trust, attended the Annual Awards Ceremony at Fawley Hill Transport Museum, Henley-on-Thames. 🚂🥇

19/09 Visited the Our Cow Molly icecream parlour and dairy farm at Cliffe House Farm, Dungworth, Sheffield. 🍦🐮

Launched the Ethel Trust Community Barge PEARL at Victoria Quays and attended a Reception at the Quays Hotel Sheffield. 🚤

As Patron of the Royal College of Midwives, visited Doncaster Royal Infirmary Women’s and Children’s Hospital. 👶🤰

20/09 As Patron of Police Treatment Centres, visited the St Andrews Centre in Harrogate. 👮‍♀️

Visited Claro Enterprises Community Workshop, Harrogate, to mark its 30th anniversary. 🎂

Visited Woods of Harrogate Limited Fine Linens Company in Harrogate. 🧖‍♀️

Visited Hollybank Trust Care Centre, in Mirfield, to mark its 70th Anniversary. 🩺

21/09 Visited Jaguar Land Rover Halewood Vehicle Plant to mark the 60th anniversary of its opening in Liverpool. 🚙

As President of the British Olympic Association, attended an Executive Board Meeting in London W1. 💼

22/09 With Sir Tim opened the Aberdeen South Harbour Expansion Project at the Port of Aberdeen. ⛴️

26/09 Held an Investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. 🎖️

Opened the renovated Old War Office Building, Whitehall in London. 🏢

Attended the Royal Warrant Holders Association’s President’s Reception at Westminster Abbey. 📑🍾

As Patron of Mercy Ships International, attended a 45th Anniversary Dinner onboard The Elizabethan, sailing on the River Thames. 🛥️🍽️

27/09 Held two Investiture ceremonies at Windsor Castle. 🎖️

As President of World Horse Welfare, attended a Reception at Hyde Park Barracks, Knightsbridge, London. 🐎

As Patron of Opportunity International UK, attended a Dinner at Evercore in London. 🌍

28/09 As President of the UK Fashion and Textile Association, attended the Sustainability in UK Textiles Conference at Drapers’ Hall, London. 👗

As Founders’ Patron and President, of the Benenden School & Society, attended the Centenary Global Conference “Inspiring Future Female Leaders”, opened the Seniors’ Courtyard, launched “Benenden 100” Centenary Book and attended the Benenden Society Reception at Benenden School in Kent. 🏫

29/09 Attended the Rededication Service of Southport War Memorial. 🫡

Total official engagements for Anne in July: 47

2023 total so far: 353

Total official engagements accompanied by Tim in July: 5

2023 total so far: 75

#hardest working royal 🫡#no choice but to stanne #this is based on the court circular #september 2023 #and yes i’m doing a separate count for tim too #because i’m rooting for…#operation working royal tim #STILL WAITING CHARLES #not all engagements are on this post #if you want a full list plz dm me #princess anne #princess royal #tim laurence #timothy laurence

50 notes · View notes

mjs-oc-corner · 11 months

Text

hphl character sheet

11/??

requested tags: @endlessly-cursed @nicos-oc-hell @catohphm @cursebreakerfarrier

tw for mentions of blood and death

Name: Phoebe Eloise Delacourt

Nicknames: Ellie, starlight (from her grandmother)

Birthdate: December 1st, 18–

Zodiac sign: Sagittarius

MBTI type: INFJ — the advocate

Blood status: pureblood

Nationality: Dutch/French/English (Dutch and French from her father’s side, English from her mother’s side)

Physical Appearance

Hair: long, dirty blonde in color

Eyes: chocolate brown, with honey tones at times

Height: 5’5

Weight: 115 lbs

Body type: average height, slim, lithe

Skin tone: fair with peachy undertones; burns easily

Distinguishing marks (scars, birthmarks, etc.):

pierced ears

birthmark on right hip

Background

Hometown:

Elstree, Hertfordshire, England

Family

Mother

Baroness Lenora Joy Delacourt née Snowden, second child and first daughter born to Caroline and Edwin Snowden. Vampire and Ravenclaw alumni. after Hogwarts, she would earn a fraction of her inheritance, working a side job as a freelance herbologist while being a dedicated stay-at-home mother to her children; Olivier, Eugénie, Phoebe, and Lucien.

Father

Baron Jacques Axel Delacourt, firstborn son of Catherine and Louis Delacourt. Vampire and Slytherin alumni. after Hogwarts, he would have a career as a member of the Wizengamot. a dedicated and loving father, he supports Olivier, Phoebe, and Lucien in their endeavors.

Siblings

Olivier Delacourt, the eldest of the Delacourt siblings was born on August 10th, 1875. he would attend Hogwarts and be sorted into Slytherin. after his time at school, he would make a career for himself as an Archivist with the Ministry of Magic.

Eugénie Delacourt, the firstborn daughter of the Delacourt family was born on September 16th, 1876 and would attend Hogwarts like the rest of her siblings, but opt out of finding a career for herself; instead relying on the family’s wealth and status to get by in life. she would later turn on her family and be cast out and disowned after it was found that she was feeding on humans. she would be sent to Azkaban at age 26, and would remain there until her death.

Lucien Delacourt, the youngest child of the Delacourt family was born on December 3rd, 1882. he would attend Hogwarts like Olivier and Phoebe, and be sorted into Ravenclaw. after leaving Hogwarts he would find a career as a Cursebreaker for Gringotts Bank and take up philanthropy work, just like Phoebe.

Hogwarts

House: Slytherin

Best class: Charms, Potions, & Divination

Worst class: Herbology

Boggart: her sister, after turning her back on the family and becoming blood-thirsty

Riddikulus: her sister turns into a harmless, hilariously adorable rag doll

Patronus: non-corporeal (later changes to take a specific form; TBD)

Patronus memory: a sleepover with her closest friends, all of them staying up late into the night laughing over silly jokes and playing games together

Mirror of Erised: herself, able to live a normal life without the hindrance of vampirism

Amortentia (what she smells like): vanilla and amber, with a hint of sweet cream

Amortentia (what she smells): leather, smoke, coffee, and sandalwood

Career

Ages 11–18: Hogwarts Student

Ages 18–65: Historian/Curator for the Museum of Magical Artifacts (philanthropy work from ages 25–65)

Ages 65–death: retirement

Personality & Attitude

Priorities: her friends and family (with the exclusion of her sister), her career goals

Strengths: empathy — wit — ambition — curiosity — loyalty — generosity — honesty — courage — adaptability — hospitality — creativity

Weaknesses: stubborn — perfectionism — slight cynicism

Stressed: when she’s hungry (only because she’s afraid of losing control), during exam season

Calm/Comforted: reading a book in her study or dorm room, or after she has sated her hunger

Favorites

Color: earth tones, black, purple

Food: her grandmother’s homemade appeltaart

Drink: warm tea

Weather: cloudy, rainy

Hobbies: writing/journaling, reading, playing the piano, singing, astronomy and astrology

Fashion: Phoebe’s every day style is more casual, as she opts for functionality over fashion statements. for fancier events, she has a rather expansive selection of dresses, and sometimes she lets friends borrow them if they’re in need of something to wear for an event. as the time changes, her style changes to reflect the era as she is virtually immortal.

Relationships

Significant Other/Love Interest: TBD

Phoebe is currently open for a ship with others’ ocs, feel free to message me or reply to this to let me know if you’d like for your oc to be shipped with her!

Friends

Phoebe is currently open for friendships with others’ ocs, feel free to message me or reply to this to let me know if you’d like for your oc to be friends with her!

Danny Gibson (@catohphm)

Zelda Cairncross (@cursebreakerfarrier)

Ace Brokenshire (@cursebreakerfarrier)

Lillian Brokenshire (@cursebreakerfarrier)

Gideon Brokenshire (@cursebreakerfarrier)

Gisella Baptiste (@endlessly-cursed)

Rivals

TBD

Trivia

the Delacourt family is well-known, and due to hard-earned mutual peace agreements with the magical community, they are allowed to live as any normal witch or wizard would, allowing the family and their children to attend Hogwarts.

the family’s identity as vampires is mostly kept secret, thanks in part to retractable fangs and still maintaining a human appearance

sunlight and garlic do not affect Phoebe to the extent that most stories and legends about vampires say it does. she can enjoy all the sunlight she wants (though she easily gets sunburned)

Phoebe and most of her family do not feed on humans. they rely on the blood lollipops from honeydukes and a blood substitute potion that is brewed by her grandmother, Constance.

due to being born into vampirism, Phoebe doesn’t physically age as quickly as a human would. biologically and physically, she ages normally until she reaches adulthood, and then she ages at a slower rate.

Phoebe could not successfully cast the patronus charm until the end of her seventh year

she has an opal ring, given to her by her grandmother, that she always wears

#new oc #hphl oc #hogwarts legacy oc #phoebe delacourt

11 notes · View notes

below-average-fangirl · 1 year

Text

I posted 2,786 times in 2022

That's 2,079 more posts than 2021!

625 posts created (22%)

2,161 posts reblogged (78%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@below-average-fangirl

@cheesybadgers

@hcrogasm

@indifferentvincent

@laikawriter

I tagged 2,340 of my posts in 2022

Only 16% of my posts had no tags

#tom cruise - 647 posts

#top gun maverick - 355 posts

#pete maverick mitchell - 160 posts

#ethan hunt - 135 posts

#mission impossible - 130 posts

#mike wozniak - 93 posts

#taskmaster - 85 posts

#top gun - 85 posts

#the mummy 2017 - 83 posts

#stacee jaxx - 76 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#so whenever he did even the slightest thing that was considered bad he was made to feel worthless which is why he questions himself so much

My Top Posts in 2022:

Ask game based on the questions from the podcast Films to be Buried With [x].

1. What is the first film you remember seeing?

2. What was the film that scared you the most?

3. What was the film that made you cry the most?

4. What film is TERRIBLE but you love it?

5. What is the film you once loved but watching it now you realize it’s terrible?

6. What is the film that means the most to you? Not because of the film it’s self, but because of the memories, you have of it.

7. What is the sexiest film?

8. Which film do you most relate to?

9. Which film is objectively the greatest ever?

10. Which film is the one you’ve watched the most?

11. What’s the worst film you’ve ever seen?

12. What is the film that’s literally made you laugh out loud the most?

221 notes - Posted August 23, 2022

See the full post

277 notes - Posted September 8, 2022

See the full post

337 notes - Posted September 15, 2022

I'm halfway through Tom Cruise's filmography, and one aspect of his acting which stood out to me is that he's unafraid to show vulnerability on screen, be it fear, silliness, or embarrassment, i.e.

- Jerry Maguire face-planting onto the floor when he rushes back into the office after being fired.

- Ethan Hunt in Fallout after the bathroom fight when Ilsa tells him he doesn't know what he's involved with. "I don't know what I'm involved in. I don't know what I'm involved in... What am I involved in?"

- Ethan Hunt in Rogue Nation when he attempted to jump over the hood of the car, slipped and face-planted onto the floor.

- Bill Cage when he is wiped out by a car while running to Rita in Edge of Tomorrow.

- Jack Reacher looking at the knife when he has to face off with the bad guys who have assault rifles.

I couldn't help but think of Harrison Ford. It’s been said somewhere by someone that one of the great traits Ford has as a screen actor is the ability to show fear without undermining his hero status, and I think Tom Cruise shares this trait, as well as humor. Their characters are funny and they will often lean into the humor without undercutting it, and that makes them more relatable. However, despite those similarities, the way I respond to them as an audience member is very, very different.

Harrison Ford is an actor I grew up watching, and Star Wars and Indiana Jones were the main staples. While I did enjoy those films, even as a kid, there was an energy Ford brought to the screen which felt dangerous. Thankfully, this is all brilliantly examined by Pop Culture Detective in this video, and jumping off the back of that, I want to talk about the power dynamics between Tom's characters and the female leads in his action films.

Let’s start with Nick Morton in The Mummy, who is an adventurous type in a similar vein to Indiana Jones. Both characters go around stealing artifacts. Although Indiana Jones would claim he’s preserving them by putting them in a museum, he's still stealing them from the indigenous culture. Nick is more honest with himself about being a thief. Another distinction between Nick Morton and Indiana Jones is how they interact with their respective heroines. Our first introduction to Jenny Halsey in The Mummy is when she, without hesitation, slaps Nick across the face and calls him out for stealing some papers from her. Nick plays dumb because he thinks she won’t want to admit that they slept together. However, Jenny is not at all embarrassed by this and instead uses it to get in a dig about Nick’s prowess in bed. In response to this, Nick makes a quip that she didn't complain the night before about his performance. The key difference between what you would see from a character like Indiana Jones in this scene is that at no point during this exchange does Nick get in Jenny’s face or manhandle her to try and intimidate her physically to reassert his masculinity.

Then there's Bill Cage in Edge of Tomorrow, who, like Nick Morton, is a morally ambiguous character. Cage is a coward who finds himself a safe job far away from the fighting, but is suddenly stripped of his rank and thrust onto the frontline after the attempted blackmail of an army general backfires. When he first comes across Rita Vrataski on the beach, he is lying on his belly, out of his depth in battle and looking up at her with bewilderment and awe, the Angel of Verdun. Rita is then immediately killed by a rocket blast right in front of him. The second time Cage meets Rita on the beach, he saves her life by pushing her out of the way of the rocket and getting hit instead. This is where we see Rita’s determination and single-minded focus to win the war; she does not stop to mourn or thank the man who saved her life; instead, she steals Cage’s power back and leaves him for dead on the beach. This ruthlessness does not deter Cage from seeking her out again on the battlefield. He knows Rita is his way off this beach. Once Rita understands that he has the power to reset the day, this is where Cage’s purpose changes from trying to save himself to serving Rita. We witness this with the scene at the farmhouse where he is kneeling at her feet serving her coffee.

By this point in the film, Cage is as well trained as Rita, but his authority never supersedes hers; he is only ever subservient. He does try to deter her from the mission by not admitting that they have been at the farmhouse before. He already knows that no matter what he does, he can’t save her, he can’t get her past this point, and what gives him away is three sachets of sugar. That one caring act of being prepared to make her coffee as she likes it is enough for Rita to realize that he’s lying, that they have been at this farmhouse multiple times. Here is where something shifts in Cage, because after witnessing Rita’s death this time, instead of telling her in the next loop that he can reset the day, he decides to find the omega on his own, knowing that if he succeeds, Rita will be dead.

"I’m a soldier. Why does it matter what happens to me?"

Cage is learning that in war you can’t save everyone, something Rita knew when in one loop she unceremoniously took his power pack after saving her. This is when he begins to be on an equal footing with Rita, demonstrated in the scene where they both realize, and agree without words, that they have to break into Whitehall to steal the transponder. While they had been a team before, Cage is now fully onboard with the job of finding and killing the omega. They then only have one shot left at succeeding, because Cage has lost the ability to reset the day anymore, but Rita trusts Cage to do it. This finally shows that they are equals.

In contrast to Nick Morton and Bill Cage, there’s Ethan Hunt, a morally good character who is intelligent, highly capable, and most importantly, empathetic. I won't go through all six Mission Impossible films, but instead, solely focus on the dynamic between Ethan and Ilsa. Ilsa saves Ethan on multiple occasions in Rogue Nation.

The first time the audience and Ethan meet Ilsa is at a moment when Ethan is incredibly vulnerable. He just witnessed the murder of a fellow IMF agent before being gassed and kidnapped, where he wakes up tied to a pole in a basement under threat of torture. It is only because of Ilsa that Ethan makes it out alive. The second time they cross paths is after the opera in Vienna, where we learn that Ilsa is an MI6 agent who is deep undercover.

Slowly, the film is building a connection between Ilsa and Ethan, but one that doesn’t override either one's main objective. As much as Ilsa has a sense of loyalty to an agent from an allied country, and saves Ethan again from the water tank, to escape from Ethan in the bike chase, she steps into his path suddenly, causing him to fall off and skid into the dirt. In any other film, this would be a humiliating moment for the main character, and there would almost certainly be a scene to balance it out and give the upper hand back to the male hero, but not in Rogue Nation.

There is not one scene where Ethan tries to reassert control or dominance over Ilsa, like the kind you would see in a Harrison Ford film where he gets into the personal space of a woman to sexually intimidate her. Instead, it is established that Ilsa, throughout the film, is Ethan's equal, and his masculinity is not threatened by this; nor is he humiliated in being rescued by her; and he feels no need to try and assert his dominance.

This is something which continues into Fallout, where once again Ilsa saves Ethan, and once again they are starting from opposite objectives. Ethan has to break Lane out, Ilsa has to kill him, and the essence of their relationship is distilled beautifully by Christopher McQuarrie.

There is emotional maturity and understanding between the two of them that elevates their relationship above what you would normally find in this genre of film between two spies of the opposite sex.

However, the character who is the most interesting to look at in terms of male/female power dynamics is Jack Reacher, as he is probably the most traditional action hero Tom Cruise has played. Reacher is a gruff, no-nonsense man of few words, and as the book outlines, his philosophy is: Hit early, hit hard. Kill with the first blow. Get your retaliation in first. This man is dangerous. Yet, at no point do I feel that the female characters are in danger around Reacher simply because they are women.

First off, the waitress who clears away Reacher’s table. It’s a small but, I think, important interaction. All Reacher does is give her a "fancy it" kind of look, but there's nothing aggressive or leary about it, and when she rejects him, he's disappointed but quickly moves on.

Secondly, the dynamic between him and Sandy in the first scene at the bar; he is being tough on her, but we know that he’s seen her argue with some guy before coming to sit at his table, so he’s probing. He’s trying to work out what her angle is. He’s mean, but he’s never intimidating. Then later, when he goes to Sandy's work, he’s pissed that she tried to set him up, but at no point do I ever feel Sandy is in danger, and at no point does Reacher try to exert information out of her by getting into her personal space. He never uses the threat of sexual violence to get that. His whole attitude is much more that of a disappointed dad. When he understands what is going on with her, and that she is a victim too, he softens toward her because she is just a kid.

Then there’s the main relationship between Jack and Helen. From the get-go, there’s an attraction but also competitiveness. Two very intelligent and competent people who are good at what they do spend the first half of the film trying to get a handle on one another and their motives. But in terms of sexual power dynamics between the two, I think there is one part where the film has Reacher lean into an action film trope, but then pulls away from it.

It’s the scene with Helen in the hotel, where Reacher is shirtless and says they need some sleep. He reaches across her, and for a moment, Helen thinks he’s suggesting sex, but instead he puts her keys in her hand. I think that was Reacher playing with her a bit, teasing her about something possibly happening to see how she would react, but it never feels threatening. He doesn’t linger in her personal space because he knows that nothing can happen between them. He will leave town once the mystery is resolved. The one scene where they do get close, where they linger and lock eyes, is the moment in the lobby where Helen gives Reacher the address to the gun range. That scene feels very different to what you would normally see in this kind of film. They feel very much like equals, like they’ve come to understand one another at last, and while they both feel the attraction, Reacher is never dominating.

See the full post

383 notes - Posted August 7, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

Some thoughts on social media and the online experience.

You don’t have to be on every platform.

You don’t need to comment on every trending topic.

Before you comment on something, take a moment to think if you have the energy to deal with follow up questions or statements.

It’s okay to say, “alright I’ve had enough of this discussion now” and offer not further explanations.

Sometimes you just need to write the post in drafts and then delete it.

Muting or blocking words/people will bring you peace.

People disagreeing with your opinion, or not liking a piece of media you enjoy, is not a personal attack on you.

Where you can have a conversation with people.

Humor doesn’t always travel well.

997 notes - Posted September 25, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

#tumblr2022 #year in review #my 2022 tumblr year in review #your tumblr year in review #2022 my tom cruise era for sure #long post

11 notes · View notes

bignaz8 · 1 year

Text

ARMISTICE DAY

Please take the time today to remember those that have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect and ensure the freedoms you enjoy today. World War I (the 'War to End All Wars') celebrated a cease fire on this day, November 11, 1918 at 11:11am, and yet still today active land mines from that horrific conflict lie in wait, still fighting that conflict.

I have been to the Verdun valley in France, where over 1.2 million died and to Fort Douaumont, which has now become a museum and a memorial to viewable remains of 350,000 unknown soldiers. Think about that for a minute. Once you've seen it, you will never forget it.

I have walked the remains of the trenches in the Argonne Forest where my great uncle Paul fought, and witnessed the eroded craters of artillery explosions and the bleached remains of soldiers that perished there and are still entombed there.

I have visited the American cemeteries in eastern France (which are actually US soil), visited Arizona hero Frank Luke's unassuming grave, and bowed my head in silent prayer.

I reflected on three patriots without whose efforts this nation may not have been forged. Abraham Woodhull (aka Samuel Culper), Anna Smith Strong and Caleb Brewster provided Washington with intelligence (the Culper Spy Ring) on British ship and British/Hessian troop movements that allowed decisive victories at Trenton (Crossing of the Delaware) and others. They did what was necessary and risked their lives to provide support to the concept of a new nation. I drove to Setauket, Long Island not long ago to visit their graves and pay my respects. I was honored in their presence. It made me ask the question: What would you risk to ensure freedom and liberty for yourself and your family?

I have been to the fortifications and ramparts of Fort Griswold in Groton, Connecticut where 88 militia volunteers, among them my children's great-great-great-great-great grandfather and his brothers and cousins, a Pequot Indian, and two free black men fought against British General Benedict Arnold's attack on Connecticut, September 6, 1781. During their surrender after hours of fighting against overwhelming odds, the British commander took American Colonel Ledyard's presentation sword of surrender and ran Ledyard through, then giving orders to execute everyone left alive. Their ancestor was badly wounded during the massacre and was carted off to a British prison ship of horrid condition.

During the decisive Battle of Yorktown and the surrender of the British and Lord Cornwallis on October 19, 1781, the battle cry was 'Remember Fort Griswold!'.

I have traveled to Dachau Concentration Camp, where those whose ideals, race or sexual preferences did not meet a ruling party's guidelines. My father was in the 20th Armored Division, 70th Armored Infantry as a medic, and was one of a handful of medics and soldiers that liberated Dachau. He personally witnessed the dead and dying, the buildings filled with heads, arms and legs. He saved hundreds there through medical attention without so much as a medal. It was the soldiers' duty. I still have the worn 48-star flag that he carried throughout Europe.

I've been to Anne Frank's house in Amsterdam. When your rights and freedoms are taken, it was horrible to witness the lengths taken and necessary to simply remain alive and preserve your humanity.

I have been to the Alamo, and stood at the spot where Davy Crockett fell on March 6, 1836 to help secure independence for Texas; and touched the mock-marked scars of bullets from that day in the limestone blocks of the old mission.

I have felt the sorrow on the battlefields at Gettysburg, grieved in silence at Arlington Cemetery, paid respects at Grant's home and Lee's grave, let the cool breeze wash over me at Little Big Horn, anguished at Wounded Knee, and paid my respects to the end of an era at Skeleton Canyon in Arizona where Geronimo surrendered. I have been to Geronimo's final resting place at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, surrounded by his family; far from their home in Arizona and New Mexico.

My grandfather was drafted for WWII and served in the Army as well on the home front. My uncle fought in Italy with the 10th Mountain and survived Anzio.

I stood at the Berlin Wall and felt the pain and anguish of a nation and people when I placed my hand on its graffiti surface. I wept for joy when I learned the news it was torn down November 9, 1989. There was nothing 'cold' about that war... except that long expanse of grey concrete.

I remember personally seeing the passion Pat Tillman had for the game of football when he was playing for Arizona State University. That passion carried over into a starting position with the Arizona Cardinals, and after September 11, 2001, his country. Even though his death was a tragedy, he decided to leave behind a multi-million dollar contract to defend this country and its ideals. Grit. Honor.

About eight years ago, I was at Costco and struck up a conversation at lunch with 88 and 93-year-old WWII veterans. The younger man served in Luzon, Philippines, and the other in the 20th Armored Division, 14th Artillery. They were both excited to know that I knew the history of the 20th Armored Division intimately from my father. After lunch was over, I made sure to thank them for their service and sacrifice. And in doing so, no less than 10 other strangers suddenly walked up to thank them as well. I ran into the 20th Armored Division gentleman another time the following year and bought him a hot dog and soda and ate with him. And thanked him once again.

Remember the Veterans... not just today, but every day, and say THANK YOU to them for ensuring your freedom to express your voice, your opinions, and your liberty. Freedom is never free, and there will always be those wanting to control and purge your unalienable rights.

#true story #mine

12 notes · View notes

ifreakingloveroyals · 2 years

Photo

9 December 2014 | Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, visits the National September 11 Memorial Museum with her husband, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in New York City. The couple, who are traveling without their son Prince George, are on a three-day US east coast visit. This is the Duke and Duchess' first official visit to New York City. (c) Carl Court - WPA Pool/Getty Images

#Catherine #Duchess of Cambridge #Princess of Wales #Britain #2014 #Carl Court #WPA Pool #Getty Images

11 notes · View notes

usafphantom2 · 2 years

Text

USAF prepares retirement from F-15C after 50 years. Where are the Eagles going?

Fernando Valduga By Fernando Valduga 09/14/2022 - 11:00 in Military

On September 11, 2016, eight jets left the 173rd Fighter Wing in Kingsley Field for the last time as they transited to Israel in the first active transfer of ramp-to- ramp aircraft under the auspices of Foreign Military Sales (FMS). These aircraft continue to serve the Israeli Air Force today. (Photo: U.S. National Air Guard by Sergeant Penney Snoozy)

The F-15C aircraft is special in itself, sporting an undefeated record in combat and a useful life dating back 50 years - a remarkable useful life for a combat aircraft. But these days are coming to an end, as the retirement of the aircraft is fast approaching. So, where will they go?

It can be several different places - the sunny desert of Arizona, Israel, NASA and some jets are gaining fame and notoriety...

On September 11, 2016, eight F-15 Kingsleys were transferred directly to the Israel Air Force, where they are still flying today - the first transfer of active ramp-to-sled aircraft.

Located behind David R. Kingsley Memorial, an F-15 A is featured in the 173rd Hunting Wing at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon. (Photo: U.S. National Air Guard, courtesy of the 173rd FW Public Affairs)

"Several of our jets were scheduled for retirement and would be taken to the cemetery; one of the options that emerged was the FMS (Foreign Military Sales) program," said U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Thomas, commander of the detachment for the deployment at the time.

Another aircraft has been transferred to the National Administration of Aeronautics and Space, better known as NASA, where it will be part of its companion aircraft program (Chase Planes), helping to capture research data for its air platforms.

"We moved the aircraft 78-0515 last July," said Senior Sergeant Jay Bosse, a maintenance management production programmer.

Some Kingsley aircraft become "rock stars" - figuratively speaking - they will be transferred to the National Air Force Museum of the United States and later loaned to a community for public exhibition. Once a city or village expresses interest and is approved, it enters a waiting list to receive a piece of the history of the Air Force. With the retirement of the Eagle fleet, this list is rapidly decreasing as the museum transfers jets to communities throughout the country.

Kingsley Field has three of these jets, an F-15A model that flew at the base, which was transferred to the museum after his retirement and later loaned to the base for static exhibition. In addition, there is an F-4 Phantom II and an F-16 Fighting Falcon on display, which flew over the base and the region on their active days of service.

The National Air Force Museum of the United States also approved a Kingsley Field F-15 to be transferred to the local community of Klamath Falls, Oregon, for public display.

Since 1998, the 173rd Hunting Wing in Kingsley Field, Klamath Falls, Oregon, has been piloting the F-15 Eagle on the A/B and C/D models, which are now approaching its eventual retirement. The wing retired 11 fuselages this year and expects to see most of the fleet retire in the next two years. (Photo: U.S. National Air Guard, courtesy of the 173rd FW Public Affairs)

Finally, many jets are retiring to sunny Arizona. Commonly known as "The Boneyard", the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group, which takes the jets and places them in the "naphthalene" in the southwest Arizona desert.

As legions of Americans of retirement age, jets take advantage of low humidity and lack of snow or rain for their last years. It is an environment that helps preserve the aircraft if it is called back to service.

This year, the 173rd Fighter Wing saw the retirement of 11 aircraft and will continue to see the aircraft advance to their golden years for another year.

Tags: Military AviationF-15C/D EagleUSAF - United States Air Force / US Air Force

Previous news

VIDEO: China's second amphibious AG600M 'Kunlong' aircraft completes the inaugural flight

Next news

RAF A400M aircraft tests low-altitude paratrooper launch capability

Fernando Valduga

Aviation photographer and pilot since 1992, he has participated in several events and air operations, such as Cruzex, AirVenture, Dayton Airshow and FIDAE. It has works published in specialized aviation magazines in Brazil and abroad. He uses Canon equipment during his photographic work in the world of aviation.