SEPTEMBER 11: A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
Like generations before us on tragi****asions, I can remember exactly where I was on Tuesday, September 11, 2001. I was working at our Licensing Division in Jessup when a Trooper came in to tell my boss that a plane had flown into NYC's World Trade Center. We immediately headed to the tv room to watch the news, and sat, in stunned silence, as reports came in further from NYC, then the Pentagon and finally, Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Tears streaming down my face, we knew this was no accident.
We immediately went into lockdown, and I was frantic, trying to get in touch with Dad, who was working in the security office of Baltimore's tallest building, the USF&G building - always thought to be a target. Mom was right across the street, working in the Bank of America building. But Dad's safety was uppermost in my mind, because I knew that were anything to happen, HE would be one of the last to be able to leave his building and would have to inspect the building on foot, floor by floor - some 30+ floors up.
KB were in school, so I was secure enough for the moment about them, but once I was able, I immediately made for home. I just wanted to be on the OTHER side of the tunnel, closer to my family. As I drove up Route 1, it was eerily silent in the skies. By this point, all air traffic had been grounded. Once I was home, all I could do was sit in front of the tv, watching repeatedly as the Twin Towers collapsed, the Pentagon burned, and a hole was gouged out of the ground in Pennsylvania, where it was later learned that the plane had been destined, apparently, for the White House. The passengers on that flight had heroically overtaken the hijackers and crashed the plane, thereby avoiding further loss of life.
It soon became clear that our government thought Osama Bin Laden and his terrorist cells were behind these attacks. What amazed me in the days and months following, was the way the country banded together - in support of our President and whatever decision he made to somehow attempt to avenge this betrayal of our freedom. Flags flew from every available place, and stores quickly sold out of flags and yellow ribbons.
There was horrific loss of life that day, but what those responsible for the attacks did not and could not anticipate, was the humanity of the people of the world. For once, rather than our country being the helper, we were the recipient of offers of aid from around the globe. The attackers could not know that this would somehow strengthen our patriotism and make us even more grateful for our military, who were pushed to the limits in those days, and in the first days of the war that followed, to ensure our safety.
In December 2001, we visited NYC. Of course, at that point, you could get nowhere close to Ground Zero. However, as we entered NYC, you could see huge cranes, and at night, the area was lit up like day as the recovery efforts continued. The day we got there, they had found two more bodies and finally put out the last of the fires that had been continuously burning. At every fire station, there were black ribbons and rows upon rows of pictures and notes about the brave men and women who had been lost that day.
Since that day, I've visited NYC and Ground Zero several times. There's also a church that played an integral role in the spiritual, emotional and physical recovery of the initial victims and first responders. If you are in NYC, I urge you to visit this church. To learn that this church, within YARDS of Ground Zero, had been knocked off its foundation three times, yet sustained NO DAMAGE, is almost more impressive than Ground Zero, which, at this point, still somewhat resembles a huge construction site.
Unfortunately, since that time, I believe that the American people - NOT our military - have become complacent and the passage of time seems to have dulled our memories of how we bonded together. If anything good came out of the date, it was that many heroes were born that day - from the first responders on each scene, to the firefighters and policeman who carried people down flights of steps in tall buildings, to the people lined up willing, desperately willing, to do anything - give blood, donate supplies, and most importantly, donate their time.
May God bless the victims of this tragedy, their families, our President and military and each and every American *****alizes that we do, in fact, live in the greatest country in the world.
We immediately went into lockdown, and I was frantic, trying to get in touch with Dad, who was working in the security office of Baltimore's tallest building, the USF&G building - always thought to be a target. Mom was right across the street, working in the Bank of America building. But Dad's safety was uppermost in my mind, because I knew that were anything to happen, HE would be one of the last to be able to leave his building and would have to inspect the building on foot, floor by floor - some 30+ floors up.
KB were in school, so I was secure enough for the moment about them, but once I was able, I immediately made for home. I just wanted to be on the OTHER side of the tunnel, closer to my family. As I drove up Route 1, it was eerily silent in the skies. By this point, all air traffic had been grounded. Once I was home, all I could do was sit in front of the tv, watching repeatedly as the Twin Towers collapsed, the Pentagon burned, and a hole was gouged out of the ground in Pennsylvania, where it was later learned that the plane had been destined, apparently, for the White House. The passengers on that flight had heroically overtaken the hijackers and crashed the plane, thereby avoiding further loss of life.
It soon became clear that our government thought Osama Bin Laden and his terrorist cells were behind these attacks. What amazed me in the days and months following, was the way the country banded together - in support of our President and whatever decision he made to somehow attempt to avenge this betrayal of our freedom. Flags flew from every available place, and stores quickly sold out of flags and yellow ribbons.
There was horrific loss of life that day, but what those responsible for the attacks did not and could not anticipate, was the humanity of the people of the world. For once, rather than our country being the helper, we were the recipient of offers of aid from around the globe. The attackers could not know that this would somehow strengthen our patriotism and make us even more grateful for our military, who were pushed to the limits in those days, and in the first days of the war that followed, to ensure our safety.
In December 2001, we visited NYC. Of course, at that point, you could get nowhere close to Ground Zero. However, as we entered NYC, you could see huge cranes, and at night, the area was lit up like day as the recovery efforts continued. The day we got there, they had found two more bodies and finally put out the last of the fires that had been continuously burning. At every fire station, there were black ribbons and rows upon rows of pictures and notes about the brave men and women who had been lost that day.
Since that day, I've visited NYC and Ground Zero several times. There's also a church that played an integral role in the spiritual, emotional and physical recovery of the initial victims and first responders. If you are in NYC, I urge you to visit this church. To learn that this church, within YARDS of Ground Zero, had been knocked off its foundation three times, yet sustained NO DAMAGE, is almost more impressive than Ground Zero, which, at this point, still somewhat resembles a huge construction site.
Unfortunately, since that time, I believe that the American people - NOT our military - have become complacent and the passage of time seems to have dulled our memories of how we bonded together. If anything good came out of the date, it was that many heroes were born that day - from the first responders on each scene, to the firefighters and policeman who carried people down flights of steps in tall buildings, to the people lined up willing, desperately willing, to do anything - give blood, donate supplies, and most importantly, donate their time.
May God bless the victims of this tragedy, their families, our President and military and each and every American *****alizes that we do, in fact, live in the greatest country in the world.
Thank you Tia this was very beautifully said, put a lump in my chest and tears in my eyes remembering that day. I work in Virginia and could see the smoke from the Pentagon from my office window and knew that many of my co-workers were in there. I remember the fear that gripped me as the city basically shut down it was awful and yes I agree that the nation has become complacent. Thanks for making us remember lest we never forget!!
Stephanie
Stephanie
That was beautifully said Tia. I also remember where I was that day. I was @work when the 1st plane hit, and I tried calling my family, I couldn't get in touch with anyone. By noon, I finally reached my mother and she assured me that everyone I loved was ok, but there were so many that were not as fortunate as I was. I thank G-d everyday that my family was spared, and I pray for the victims and the families whose lives were forever changed on 9-11-01. G-d bless America Leslie
((( Tia )))
Thank you. I too remember exactly where I was and how I heard the news, memories that will stay with me forever. I have a sister who worked in the financial industry in NYC but fortunately did not work in the downtown area, but she lost friends in the WTC, my brother is a DOD contracter and spends a lot of time in the Pentagon, so we had anxious hours until we knew that he was in his office not at the Pentagon that day.
September 11, 2001 is a day that will forever change the United States, though as the time passes, many have become complacent and forget that no matter what precautions may be taken it could happen again in a heartbeat.
Hugs, Mo
Thank you. I too remember exactly where I was and how I heard the news, memories that will stay with me forever. I have a sister who worked in the financial industry in NYC but fortunately did not work in the downtown area, but she lost friends in the WTC, my brother is a DOD contracter and spends a lot of time in the Pentagon, so we had anxious hours until we knew that he was in his office not at the Pentagon that day.
September 11, 2001 is a day that will forever change the United States, though as the time passes, many have become complacent and forget that no matter what precautions may be taken it could happen again in a heartbeat.
Hugs, Mo
Comparison is the thief of joy!
If we spend our time comparing our life/weight loss/body to others, we totally miss what WE have accomplished. Keep in mind how far you have come and what you can do now that you couldn't do weeks/months/years ago. I hate the expression " It's all good", but in this case it fits! Wherever you are in your journey ... It's ALL good!!!
Well said my friend- I too remember I was sitting here at work : only miles from you
but we didn't know one another then. A customer told me over the phone and like
your office we gathered around radios ,Tv's, and internet sites to gather whatever information
we could get. It was also my nieces first day of school and my sister spent
her morning at the school gathered with other concerned parents who had been
there only to drop of their children then stayed together there at the school
watching it all unfold on TV.
I'll by in New York tomorrow and will take some time and remember all those
who died that tragic day. I as you know visited the church you spoke of
on our visit there this spring. It is amazing to still be there standing.
Stay safe my friends
but we didn't know one another then. A customer told me over the phone and like
your office we gathered around radios ,Tv's, and internet sites to gather whatever information
we could get. It was also my nieces first day of school and my sister spent
her morning at the school gathered with other concerned parents who had been
there only to drop of their children then stayed together there at the school
watching it all unfold on TV.
I'll by in New York tomorrow and will take some time and remember all those
who died that tragic day. I as you know visited the church you spoke of
on our visit there this spring. It is amazing to still be there standing.
Stay safe my friends
Hi Darla,
Have a great time in NY tomorrow, you should have great weather, which makes the trip that much sweeter. I hope you get to visit the church in front of ground zero. You will notice that in the back of the church(which is even closer to GZ) there is a little cemetery. They didn't lose 1 tombstone. Some of them cracked, or leaned, but not one fell! Truly Amazing!
Have a wonderful safe day! Leslie:)
Have a great time in NY tomorrow, you should have great weather, which makes the trip that much sweeter. I hope you get to visit the church in front of ground zero. You will notice that in the back of the church(which is even closer to GZ) there is a little cemetery. They didn't lose 1 tombstone. Some of them cracked, or leaned, but not one fell! Truly Amazing!
Have a wonderful safe day! Leslie:)
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