I awoke as usual to the news station on the radio. While getting ready for work, I heard the reports of a small plane hitting the tower, which then evolved into a big plane. By the time the second plane hit, I had the tv on. I dragged myself away and drove to work. As I circled the Beltway towards Alexandria, I heard that the Pentagon had been hit. I looked over out the window and saw the smoke billowing. It was quite shocking. When I arrived at the office, everyone was in shock. My office was just a few short miles from the Pentagon. A few minutes after I arrived, the entire building shook and the windows rattled from either an explosion or the fighter jets flying in. The VP of the office decided that no work would be done as general chaos ruled, so he graciously sent us all home. My roommate and co-worker was quite rattled, so she and I drove home, where we sat and listened and watched the news in shock. Calls started to come in from all across the country, as well as from family I have in Germany as concerned friends and family made sure that we were ok. We commiserated about the craziness and horror of it all. While I lost no friends nor family that day, I know we all lost quite a bit of innocence that day. It happened on our soil.
Our blindfold was ripped from our eyes in a violent gesture and we were forced to see that we are not invincible nor impenetrable.
I wish we would’ve held on to the brotherly love that flowed in the days after the initial events. I honor and remember the dead. Those that innocently went about their day and yet were taken, as well as those that knowingly entered into the horror in an attempt to help and gave their lives.
I gladly participate in an event that does not politicize this event, but instead honors the memories.
