May we never forget the thousands killed, the families broken and lineages damaged on this fateful day 23 years ago.
I’d like to thank the multitudes of soldiers who have connected with me over the past few years. They typically nudge me awake between 3:30 and 4:30 when the veil is most thin. Each of them approach with the pride, manners and presence cultivated in service to their country. Often times, they remind me of my former hell raising, uncouth, angry students in search of their path during their senior year who returned to visit Lake Brantley High School after basic training. They were filled with pride and purpose.
Some visitors are more shy than others, but all place their mothers at the top of their list for intentions…meaning, they want me to tell their moms how much they missed them and that they hoped they made them proud. Naturally, the most frustrating part of communing with the dead is when I do not have their loved ones sitting across from me, I am unable to honor their wishes.
This is why I ask all my living clients to share testimonials and spread my purpose “word of mouth.” The more people that sit with me virtually, or in person, for connection, the more clarity of messaging and healing can occur.
Rolodexes of deceased military people have filed through and taught me to hone in on specifics, such as asking them to show me their name, unit and/or battles in which they fought.
On this 9/11, I felt it apropos to honor some of them.
1) Lozen, Chiricahua Apache Shaman Warrior: She was Geronimo’s right hand and predicted in which direction the enemy lay. She was the reason the Hot Springs Apache’s were able to outrun the US Calvary for over 25 years. Ussen and The White Painted Woman (gods of Lozen’s tribe) gifted her with a strong sixth sense. She visits on a regular basis and even led me to Maricopa County to visit various key points in her life through meditation and following intuition vs. google maps or history books.
2) Buffalo Soldier from Platoon 1889 who visited simply to show a snippet of his life out on the plains. He was so happy with black coffee in a tin cup and said my willingness to listen to him reminded him of “coffee and kindness just like his Mom.”
3) Winston Churchill answered my husband’s question, “I wonder how Winston Churchill defined success?” Honestly, my husband was just enjoying a happy hour conversation with me, but the moment the words left his lips, I knew I’d receive the answer. During that evening’s meditative connection, I received the answer.
· “Not having to answer to anyone…except your wife, of course.
· Playing marbles as a kid.
· Sticking to your morals and remaining steadfast when running contrarian to everyone else.
· Owning a new Studabaker.
· Being able to paint his favorite royal blue room with gold leaf trim.
· Possessing a Faberge Egg.”
(If you have the time, research each of these…the results are quite validating. Especially, the Faberge Egg).
4) Pat Tillman: The American Hero who left his life as an NFL star with the Arizona Cardinals to serve his country. He showed me himself hugging his mother at various ages in life, taking him to practices, watching his games and alas, details of his death by friendly fire. He is a stickler for crowd control in the spirit world and is able to create single file order when a barrage of energies want to connect simultaneously. (Part of his living legacy is the Pat Tillman Foundation).
5) Sergeant 1st Class Elis A. Barreta Ortiz: He died in service to his country in 2019. While his visit was brief, he showed me his face, rank and full name.
6) Lieutenant Charles Pickering US Navy. Very formal, mannerly. Pat Tillman vetted him and allowed him in. He was soooooo polite that it showed his age. Confirmation of him commanding a warship pre-1900, that was the first sunk by a submarine, but he lived well into old age. He helped me learn how to interpret “3rd eye” black and white movie reels showing events.
7) Colonel Xue Yong-Pang: Yes, I understand including a Chinese Naval leader may be controversial, but I am trained to respect and honor the spirits as well as the living. He wanted his death and the demise of his crew to be known, as it was buried by leadership. While he shared his drowning death of himself and crew by asphyxiation in August, 2023, his story did not break until October, 2023 when the UK Daily News published the events. He taught me how to “adjust the sensation” of others’ deaths and emotions lest I become too frozen in fear to be able to use my gifts for helping others.
Each of these warriors used their physical life in service of a greater cause, regardless of which “side” it appeared. I am grateful for the lessons they taught me on this path of connection.
If you’ve lost a loved one in the military, the 9/11 attacks, or to natural causes, trust me, each time you remember them, share a story about them, place flowers on their grave or pencil sketch over their granite etched name, each time you make their favorite meal, or re-watch their favorite movie, they are with you.
This I know to be true.
Priestess Tracy Olsen