Let Us Not Forget

Photo courtesy from here.

I believe it is very easy for us to get caught up in our day to day and not remember this tragic and historical day. Can you believe it has been 6 years?

Do you remember where you were when you heard the news?

I do. I had just returned from a business trip (no surprise there). I was snug as a bug in my bed snoozing away. My flight arrived really late the night before so I was sleeping in.

Then it happened. I was woken up by the banging on my front door with simultaneous phones ringing off the hook. At my front door? A marine in full combat gear alerting me to the fact the base was locked down and we were on the highest threat con alert possible.

After rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I asked, "Why?" His reply? "Ma'am, turn on the tv." Then he left as quickly as he arrived.

I made my way to the tv. As I am sure most of us felt, my stomach dropped and the tears started to flow. It was especially surreal because my husband at the time was deployed. We found out later they were entering the Indian Ocean when the attack occurred.

I finally answered the phone and talked with my mom and one of my brothers. I remember having to get off the phone because I couldn't form a coherent thought. I was consumed by the images before me and what this might mean for me, my husband, the nation as a whole but especially the people taken from their loved ones from the act of terrorism.

My neighbor (M2) came up and we watched the news. Hanging on to every bit of information we could get. Realizing and knowing neither one of us would receive word from our husbands, we had no alternative but to deal with the situation at hand and find comfort in the fact they were probably safer than any of us were at the time.

In the days that followed I remember being irritated at the new found sense of patriotism. For me, and other military families, it was a daily way of life.

Day in and day out, our flags flew and represented more than solidarity in the wake of devastation. It represented sacrifice and pride. Later I came to appreciate people's efforts but at the time I was irked that it took something of this magnitude for people to embrace our country.

Growing up my parents instilled a great sense of pride and gratitude for living in America. I thank them for this. I often wonder do people realize how fortunate we truly are?

To this day, I remember.

I pray for those who lost loved ones, for those impacted by their efforts in defending our freedoms, for those currently serving. I even pray for the people who still want to do harm to America. I don't have the ability to fly a flag outside my current residence but I do have a rather substantial black and white framed photo of the World Trade Center towers hanging above my fireplace. In the heart of my home.

Some wonder how I can fly tomorrow. I have been asked this at least three times today. My answer? At any given moment we could be taken from this earth. The only certainty we have is death is a part of life. If it is my time, it is my time and to stress about it does no good. I am totally at peace should I be called home. Not just on a flight but at any given time I am ok should it happen.

Tomorrow as I head back to the airport, my heart will be heavy. I will spend extra time in thought.

I will not forget.

I hope you remember too.