9/11

I awoke this morning with the immediate knowledge that today was 9/11. I began praying for those families and friends who lost loved ones through the tragic events that took place on September 11, 2001. I also prayed for those who were injured both physcially and emotionally because of the actions of the terrorists.

I have always heard people say that they will never forget where they were when they heard about the Kennedy assasination. I never understood that until 9/11. I will never forget the events of that day and how they unfolded before America's eyes. I so clearly remember sitting at my desk at Townsend's, calculating chicken sales, and hearing my boss, Larry Reid, talk on the phone with a growing sense of urgency. When he called me into his office to tell me what was being reported I couldn't believe it. Then Mark called and then I called my parents and my sister. I just needed to hear their voices. Most of the employee's at Townsend's spent the day in the breakroom watching the news. I saw the 2nd plane crash and the towers collapse and my heart broke. I couldn't imagine what those people were dealing with. Then we began to hear reports that a plane had crashed into the Pentagon and that another had crashed in a field in Pennsylvania prior to reaching the White House or Capitol building. As the days progressed I remember being so excited when a person was found alive and pulled from the rubble. Heroes and stories emerged from those events that are still amazing to me today. As people worked night and day to rescue survivors it finally became evident to America that no one else would be found alive. But the people continued to look for their fellow Americans so they could receive a proper burial and bring some kind of closure to their families.

Last summer I took a trip with 3 of my friends to New York City. The trip was planned around a desire to see the Yankee's play in Yankee stadium before it was torn down. But we all knew and understood that the trip would not be complete without visiting Ground Zero. Our last day in New York we made our way to where the Twin Towers once stood. As we walked into that area all talking stopped. We had been walking quickly through the rain/drizzle for some time but suddenly everything began to move in slow motion. I was overwhelmed by the vast emptiness that once had held so much life. My tears could not be contained. As we looked at the wall that listed every person who died there from those events, my tears continued. It was and is so hard to believe that people intentionally committed those acts on innocent people.

Next Thursday I am headed to D.C. with my family. I hope that one of the many places we are able to visit will be the memorial at the Pentagon. I am certain that I will experience profound grief there as well.

Today I am more grateful than ever for those who choose to serve America and daily put their lives on the line to protect and save us. Today, I remember all the events of that day. Today, I pray for all affected by those events. Today, I know that I will never forget.