9/11 – A Day to Remember – A Day to Mourn
I don’t think anyone who is old enough on this date twenty-one years ago doesn’t remember the disbelief, horror and pain the events of the day caused.
Even as we watched the events unfold on tv, we had disbelief that something so horrendous could happen here in our country.
Horror at seeing the images on tv of the planes hitting the Twin Towers. We were stunned by the terror of watching people jump out windows to avoid being burned alive, only to see them plummet many floors to their deaths.
The pain that engulfed us as we watched thousands of people die including the first responders who courageously waded into the chaos to rescue survivors.
We commend the bravery of the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93 who rebelled and prevented their plane from crashing into the White House, while at the same time, asking ourselves “Would I have been as brave?”. Honestly, I don’t know if I would of.
On this day, twenty-one years ago, we as a nation, lost our sense of security and our innocence. To this day we mourn their loss.
Looking Back
I remember what I was doing when I heard of these tragic events as if it was only yesterday. While growing up, I heard adults make the same statement about John F. Kennedy’s assassination but never understood the power of that statement. Now I do.
When I got the news over my company radio, I was sitting at a light at the intersection of Van Dorn Street and Eisenhower Drive in Alexandria, VA. The intersection is located at the bottom of a hill and has a limited view ahead. I received the call about the Twin Towers being hit then another call that the Pentagon was also hit.
Disbelief and shock was my first reaction. Why would anyone do such a thing? How could they do that? My mind couldn’t grasp the idea or make sense of it.
The light turned green and I proceeded to travel north. As I crested the hill, in the horizon I saw a huge, thick, black plume of smoke rolling skyward. My disbelief turned to horror. A chill ran down my spine. I was to be working that day in the South Parking Lot of the Pentagon. The parking lot next to where the plane hit. By the Grace of God, I was not there. The job was postponed.
My Children
My son was in Pennsylvania and flying home that day. In my panic, I couldn’t remember from what airport he was flying out of, what flight he was to be on or time of departure. I spent many hours in agony wondering if my son was on the flight that crashed. I cannot even begin to describe my terror and then my relief when I finally was able to speak to my son.
My daughter was in high school away for the day’s turmoil and I knew she was safe. But she too dealt with fear that day. She knew her brother was flying out from Pennsylvania and she thought I was at the Pentagon. She couldn’t remember her brother’s flight arrangements and was unaware that my job had been canceled. My daughter also dealt with the fear her friends had about their parents who worked at the Pentagon.
Today
This event affected everyone who was old enough to understand its significance. We as a nation was rocked to our foundation that day.
Let us take a moment sometime today to remember those who lost their lives on this tragic day twenty-one years ago. Remember and mourn the 2,753 who died in the Twin Towers, the 184 who died in the Pentagon and the 40 passengers and crew on Flight 93. Remember and mourn the 415 first responders and the civilians who lost their lives as they bravely joined in to help.
Let us remember those who survived the attack on our country that day, the search and rescue teams who valiantly put their own safety at risk to look for survivors, then later for the dead. Let us remember everyone whose Herculean efforts helped to try to put order to chaos. The family members who witnessed the death of their loved ones on tv. The ones left behind by this tragedy who are still suffering the trauma’s aftermath.
9/11 is a Day to Remember and a Day of Mourning.
This day twenty-one years ago touched each one of us in some way. We as individuals, and as a Nation, will never be the same again.
Thank you for visiting with me at
Down Home at Dee’s
