22:57 Sep 11 2008
Times Read: 1,392
I don't recall if I have told this story on here.
Sept. 11, 2001 I was happily sleeping when I was awakened by a loud banging on my door. I opened the door and was greeted by a simple message "I got the call, we were attacked!"
Still half asleep I slurred, "What do you mean we were attacked?" ..."They hit the Towers!"
Three days before, standing outside at night talking to a group of colleagues I was answering some questions about potential attacks on American soil. I was telling them that soon we would be faced with the deaths of thousands and that the skies over our cities were not safe. Several people scoffed and others stood in disbelief. I assured them that it was going to happen and to be careful when they traveled.
Of course little did I know how soon it was actually going to happen.
Upon hearing the news I ran to the back office and pulled up some data files, my phones strangely silent. I did the math -Terrorism, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia-
I made some calls but what could I do, I was 900 miles away sitting in an office, 20 miles from the nearest town. I turned on the TV and watched in horror seeing the fallen buildings and the burning Pentagon.
During times of crisis you only have two responses, staying shocked and immobile or taking action. When my calls to the Pentagon failed I stepped outside.
My most vivid memory of that day wasn't waking up to a war call or seeing a gapping hole in NYC but how perfect the sky looked. No clouds, no jet trails, no noise except for a brief moment when military helicopters flew overhead shaking the ground.
I started walking, off the property and down the small access road. There were only two thoughts going through my head ''I can't believe it's here'' and "My God, let them be alive." After about 20 minutes I turned around and went back inside. The only thing to do was watch the news.
It wasn't until sometime later when I was able to get in contact with, more than anything else, my friends from the Pentagon. They told me about how they were turning out of the parking lot, headed to Richmond, when they saw the plane hit the side of the Pentagon.
I didn't lose anyone I knew and I know that on that day all of America suffered.
People talk about what a tragedy that was and how many victims were killed, I don't see it that way. Even 7 years later I'm still filled with anger. I keep going over the accounts of that day, reading stories, hearing peoples reaction. There were no victims on 9/11 only heroes.
New York, Virginia, Pennsylvania, America was violated in the most perverse and cowardly way possible.
I am a man of peace but to be honest, I long for the day when the earth has a new glass desert.
Perhaps I'm still not over it, perhaps I feel guilty for not knowing more specifics and working harder to prevent it.
Regardless, it was going to happen, it happened. I am America and I am pissed!
Those of you who know me understand I am not the modern definition of a "patriot." I think that the only good government is one that lives in fear of it's people. But, no matter the issues the last 7 years has brought I find solace in the American spirit that shown so brightly in the spirit of those lost and the hearts of those who responded to help.
--X
COMMENTS
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GypsyOfTheGreen
07:39 Sep 30 2008
You and I both, i thinks its going to take me staying awake all day until a tomarrow night and then sleeping thru the night.