From the film, as spoken by Gigi McKendric:
“The American Philosopher George Santayana warned that those who forget history are condemned to repeat it. Unfortunately, when you look at history, we see that changes, while they occurred, have not brought us closer to being better human beings. We are people on a trail of blood and tears. In recent times, making use of scientific developments, people from one group or another, are inflicting cruelty and creating mayhem and destruction increasingly, on children, women, all innocent human beings.
Ordinary people have committed extraordinary atrocities, built special ovens into which human beings are exterminated while still alive. We ask, how can such a magnitude of cruelty continue into our present day? Where in the darkest corners of the human mind and in the human heart, does it breed in silence until it comes out and destroys thousands of human lives.
We must look at the greatest mystery of all… love. How is love transmitted in the journey human beings travel, and how does it manifest in one part of the world and differently in another. A mother like Pearl Maynard transmitted her love to her sons, while others teach the mistaken religions of death to become mothers. In an attempt to remember this important historical tragedy for our country, we are able to take this personal journey with pearl, mother of, one of 12 African American firefighters murdered while responding to the September 11 attack.
He was 31 years old at the time of his death, and in one single moment, her life has changed forever. Within his wonderful soul, he was one of those human beings that planned to seed and harvest a small patch of earth on which kindness, compassion, and love will grow. He wanted to save children, men, women, from the inferno that fire ignites.
Undeterred by challengers, he achieved his dream and became a firefighter for the New York City Department, and a member of the Vulcan Society, its fraternal organization. This valiant man was Keithroy Maynard, Pearl Maynard’s son, and a twin brother of Kevin, who was also the younger brother of Vernon, first born son to Pearl Maynard. Keithroy’s death also left a seven year old son without the guidance of a father.
The names are necessary, because each one is part of a link that ties members of a family together. When Keithroy was killed, on that infamous September 11th, the link broke. Each member of the Maynard family will have to deal with their own sorrow, and also give hope to one another. In doing this, they will keep alive the memory and honor Keithroy, as they continue their own dreams for a more peaceful world.
We hope to create an awareness of the dual potential that exists in some human beings for good, as this one family demonstrates so aptly throughout their lives, while on the other side is the propensity for evil, the murderers and their families spew into the world. The criminals that took his innocent life had only an exaggerated indulgence for the desire to be martyrs. The hope is that the Maynard family can be an inspiration to each of us to be an active participant to demonstrate that life is sacred.
Evil can inflict pain, but it cannot destroy the human spirit.”
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