Different But the Same
Today.
September 11th, 2015.
FOURTEEN years have passed. It doesn't seem possible at all. It feels like yesterday. But an eternity ago at the same time.
As most Americans today, I will be observing moments of silence. We need to remember that day in 2001, VIVIDLY. I beg you. Please. Remember that day.
Everyone's September 11th story is a little different.
For me.... that was the day my brother, a fresh new Second Luietenant in the Army, told me that there was no way we weren't going to war. No way that HE wasn't going into combat. It took some time, but that did happen. He has been in COMBAT four times. Iraq & Afghanistan. Long, long tours of duty. Scary. Violent. Long. Tours.
That was the day my father, a US Airways Captain, had to be rerouted in air and grounded in Buffalo, NY.. on his way into Laguardia. The day, my retired Army, badass, big jet flying dad crumbled to tears to me over the phone. I can remember our conversation like it just happened....
It turned out that there were no rental cars and my mom got in a car and drove to Buffalo NY from Pittsburgh that day and brought the entire flight crew home with her.
We all know it was a beautiful, crisp, clear morning. We all KNOW what happened and when. But for me, I was a college student, sitting on a bench outside of class. Crying so hard I couldn't breathe. Scared. And sad. The towers hadn't even fallen yet. That happened when I walked in the door at my parents house. And the world as we knew it ended.
But everyone's September 11th story is just the same.
That was the day we CAME TOGETHER AS A NATION.
WE HAD PRIDE
WE PUT OUR DIFFERENCES ASIDE.
Every. Single. Person.
We hugged strangers (well at least I did). We smiled at everyone so that we knew we weren't alone.
In the midst of what seems like a country that is now crumbling and on the verge of civil war, REMEMBER this day. Please.
September 11th, 2015.
FOURTEEN years have passed. It doesn't seem possible at all. It feels like yesterday. But an eternity ago at the same time.
As most Americans today, I will be observing moments of silence. We need to remember that day in 2001, VIVIDLY. I beg you. Please. Remember that day.
Everyone's September 11th story is a little different.
For me.... that was the day my brother, a fresh new Second Luietenant in the Army, told me that there was no way we weren't going to war. No way that HE wasn't going into combat. It took some time, but that did happen. He has been in COMBAT four times. Iraq & Afghanistan. Long, long tours of duty. Scary. Violent. Long. Tours.
That was the day my father, a US Airways Captain, had to be rerouted in air and grounded in Buffalo, NY.. on his way into Laguardia. The day, my retired Army, badass, big jet flying dad crumbled to tears to me over the phone. I can remember our conversation like it just happened....
Me, 20 years old (after calling and calling and calling... and him finally picking up on the 15th try to get through to him): Daddy. Daddy. Daddy. Where are you? What is happening? Please come home!
My Dad (who I am sure was just trying to be strong): Sissy.... I am ok. I am on the ground. I am safe. I am trying to rent a car to get home as fast as I can.
It turned out that there were no rental cars and my mom got in a car and drove to Buffalo NY from Pittsburgh that day and brought the entire flight crew home with her.
We all know it was a beautiful, crisp, clear morning. We all KNOW what happened and when. But for me, I was a college student, sitting on a bench outside of class. Crying so hard I couldn't breathe. Scared. And sad. The towers hadn't even fallen yet. That happened when I walked in the door at my parents house. And the world as we knew it ended.
But everyone's September 11th story is just the same.
That was the day we CAME TOGETHER AS A NATION.
WE HAD PRIDE
WE PUT OUR DIFFERENCES ASIDE.
We weren't different races.
We were RED WHITE AND BLUE that day.
Every. Single. Person.
We hugged strangers (well at least I did). We smiled at everyone so that we knew we weren't alone.
WE STOOD UNITED.
In the midst of what seems like a country that is now crumbling and on the verge of civil war, REMEMBER this day. Please.
Let's all STAND UNITED again.
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