10 years ago, at the exact time of this post, American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center North Tower.

At 9:03am, United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower. 

At 9:37am, American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon.

At 10:03am, United Airlines Flight 93 crashed into an open field in Shanksville, PA.

The South Tower collapsed at 9:59am.

The North Tower collapsed at 10:28am.

World Trade Center 7 collapsed at 5:21pm.

Where were you 10 years ago?

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Ladies and gentleman meet the 2010-11 UCLA Dance Team in "whites":

Here they are in "blue":

Here is the link where you can meet the 2010-11 UCLA Spirit Squad.

Credit for both of the photos belong to UCLA's Spirit Squad's home page. You can visit that site to learn all about these wonderful, beautiful, smart ladies (unlike the dingbats from crosstown) representing the greatest university in America.

GO BRUINS.

Well the run came to an end last night in Rustenburg but for many of us it has already been the most memorable World Cup since the incredible run U.S. team made in Korea back in 2002. US Soccer has taken some incredible steps forward since a Bruin goalie saved the federation but we can totally understand the sentiment of having that woulda-coulda-shoulda ("empty") feeling at the end of last night's game. Still I really like the comments and reaction from DeMerit following the game:

"There's always disappointment when a great tournament like this comes to an end," DeMerit explained later. "But I think it's a really special time for U.S. soccer. There's a reason that the United States sold more tickets than pretty much any other country to come here: These people care; these people want to be a part of these environments.

"To show our appreciation as players, win or lose, is the important thing. And when disappointment is at its highest, that's probably the time to show the most appreciation."

They made all of us proud. Especially here in Bruins Nation with deep ties to the soccer team via our Captain (Carlos Bocanegra) and the two other Bruins who left their positive marks in South Africa (Benny Feilhaber and Jonathan Bornstein). Congrats to all of them, their team-mates and the coach Bob Bradley, who happens to be a Dad of a Bruin.

As for rest of the World Cup, please let us know if you would like to have open threads even though the US Team is no longer in it. It certainly has been a lot of fun following this tourney with all of you here.

GO BRUINS.

As we do every year, today we take the day to remember those who have fallen while serving this country and protecting everything that we hold dear. Recently, we were treated to this epic post by ucla7477 about his father in-law who was was faced with internment and served in the Army, depriving him of the chance of finishing his education. Stories like that remind us of those Bruins who served this country and the strong military tradition at UCLA. For those Bruins who passed and all others who met the same fate, on this day we remember and thank you for your sacrifice.

Today is also a big day for the UCLA baseball team as the Regionals are announced today at 9:30 am PDT on the NCAA Selection Show. It will all be announced live on ESPN and will set the path for the Bruins on the road to Omaha. One thing we do know is that UCLA will be hosting their Regional on Friday through Monday so for all the Bruins out there, check out how to get tickets here and then pack Jackie Robinson Stadium (which is fittingly on the grounds of the VA) with blue.

I would be remiss if I didn't give a congratulations to the softball team who advanced to the Women's College World Series yesterday with a second dominating win over Louisiana-Lafayette. This is a Memorial Day open thread so use it to share your Memorial Day thoughts, discuss the baseball Selection Show or anything else on your mind today. Have a great day everyone and remember, please be safe.

Well guys. This has been an interesting year to say the least. Despite all the ups and downs we have a had a good football season which on the balance has our team heading towards the right direction. Our basketball team is not having a typical Ben Ball season. Yet despite the recent travails, I believe in the long term we are going to be all right under the leadership of one of the best coaches in all of college game. All our other athletic programs are moving along, competing for NCAA championships. We don't have one yet this season but we will have one sooner or later.

Though it all we have had another great year here on Bruins Nation through the classic contributions of our moderators and our incredible community members. It's a privilege to bleed Blue and Gold and it feels even more special during this time of the year:

Thank you bruinbabe2000!

The best time of year. Yeah, and it's more fun for some of us when December gives us an opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with Southern California sun and the sounds and sights of the Pacific Ocean. Always good to come home and see the Bruin stickers and license plate holders on the 405.

Anyway, with all that, on behalf of all the moderators and members of Bruins Nation, let me wish all of you out there that bleed blue and gold a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.

GO BRUINS.

So ladies and gents we have a brand new addition to our crew of frontpagers/moderators on Bruins Nation.

bruinhoo who has been a big part of this community for a while, is joining us as Patroclus. We are particularly excited about P joining us on the homepage because hopefully he will help alleviate the angst of all the BNers from Bay Area, who might think the frontpage has been heavily stacked against them (as Bellerophon has been the only Bay Area Bruin holding the fort for Niners and Warriors on the home page). Now with Patroclus on board, there will be no room for complaining when we once again pimp the Lakers or the Dodgers/Halos during hoops/baseball season. :-)

Patroclus is another recent Bruin alum, who we think will join Tydides and Bellerophon in providing that "young alum" pov on UCLA athletics (rest of us are gradually heading towards "geezer" status). Oh not that we planned this, he is yet another law school graduate on the frontpage.

Anyway, join us in officially welcoming Patroclus on the home page.

GO BRUINS.

Well we have had an interesting 24 hours here on BN. Yeah, we can get after each other here occasionally. It happens like it does in every family with pulse, passion, and immense sense of pride. If you didn't listen to JJ making the point about what is being Bruin all about, I recommend you do so this morning. It will put everything in perspective.

At the end of the day we are all in it together. Especially this week with that special game looming on Saturday and all the Ben Ball action starting tonight. I am with Kirk71: time to go all in.

A happy thanksgiving to all the students (yes, students - we love you all), alums, fans and the entire Bruin family that makes up this place. I will be around off and on today blogging about football, hoops and then will be hanging with you all in our Ben Ball game thread. Enjoy the turkey.

GO BRUINS.

Over the years I have gotten lot of emails via our BruinsNation email account from UCLA alums on how they could show their appreciation for this little online bar on the internets. Well here is your chance.

This place has become a pretty close group of friends who are threaded tightly together with the common bond that is Bruin blue and gold. We experienced a little bit of that emotion reading all the stories about what those magical four letters mean to us over this weekend.

Well here is another story which has been a huge part of this community since we got started. This is Tyler in the middle:

If you are new around here, I'd urge you to read his story here, here and here. He is Insomniac's (and ours) Gutty Little Bruin, who has become our pride and joy over the years here on Bruins Nation.

Tyler needs us this week and we need to respond. I will be upfront. Insomniac is trying to cheer Tyler on by making a donation to Dribble for the Cure in his honor. He set a goal of raising $1,500. We have already raised $850. I know we can blow pass the goal. So please, go to the following link and make a donation today:

Support Our Gutty Little Bruin

We need to let Tyler know that he is not alone. We need to let him know that he has thousands of members of his extended Bruin family praying for him all over the Bruin Nation.

In the words of RW - LETS GO.

GO BRUINS.