Well today is the 8th anniversary of 9-11... It's 8 years later and we are still at war. We are still sending our babies to battle, hoping and praying that they come home safe! To all the men and women that serve, have served, or are thinking of serving this country, THANK YOU! Thank you for doing what you do! So that we can live the lives we live. Thank you for all your sacrifices. Thank you for leaving the comfort of home, the arms of your loved ones to protect the rest of us. Thank you.
Do you remember where you were when the planes crashed? I'm pretty sure everyone does. Me, I was at work, sitting at the R.A.S Desk in Salt Lake. Warren walked in at about 7:30 and said, did you hear? When he told me, I thought he was pulling my leg, as he usually was. But no, he was not, and it was just after he walked in that we heard about the second plane. it wasn't long before the office was a buzz. I remember that sence of just waiting for the other shoe to drop. One plane, then 2... Then the 3rd into the field in Pa... planes were grounded... it was... surreal. Rumors that our CEO and other execs had left the building in Denver, but other workers were still there... not knowing if anything else would happen. if.. when.. It makes me wonder how folks in these war torn countries survive? How can life go on when you don't know if a suicide bomber will chose this place, or that place to kill themselves and others..
That day... It was so odd, to have a call center so quiet, there were no calls for most of the day... eerily oddly quiet. With everyone listening to the radio, trying to get internet to come up (there were ways around the proxy servers at work). We had a TV in the break room, but no TV reception (it was there for the VCR). We did our best to get a TV Station to come in, we had sound, and a bunch of fuzz for a picture, so I didn't really see the tape of the planes hitting the building until that evening when I got home. I remember Wade let me use his cell phone so I could call my Mom. He is a sweet guy! He knew I was from NY, but didn't realize I was from Central NY. Either way, he handed me the phone and told me to call to verify everyone was OK, she was, and said that they were closing her work for the day (she worked at the Federal Reserve bank). I also called my brother, and we made a 'plan' if anything happened in our area, we would all meet at his house. Luckily we didn't need the plan.
So, It's eight years later, and as I type I am surprised by the clarity in the memories... I don't even know if I could tell you what happened last weekend, but this day, 8 years ago, I guess I can tell you what happened. If you see a member of our Military, Thank them! If you are a member... THANK YOU! Thank you!! And to Jayge, my step son, who is about to head over to Iraq in just about 8 weeks.... be safe! We are proud of you!! We want you and your entire unit home safely!
