Remembering this day · 10:01pm Sep 11th, 2018
I think most all of us remember where we were and what we were doing on September 11, 2001. I myself was still on active duty with the U.S. Air Force. For me it was a surreal experience. I had deployed and spent almost a year away during the Gulf War. The first one, 11 years prior. At that point, our military had been in a state of war for some time. It had become common place, routine and deployments predictable, though not without their dangers. But few understood or were concerned about the dangers that we still faced.
Until, on that one day, when so many innocent people perished, so many families and friends were changed forever. The citizens of our country were at first shocked and agasht, then angry and saddened.
So much has happened since that day. I retired three years later. I still serve in civil service, hoping that my efforts contribute to those who still actively serve. I know their sacrifices and I wishes them and their loved ones safety and peace.
I know there are strong opinions about all that has occurred in the past 28 years since I first served this country. What I would ask on this day is that we remember those that sacrificed, their families and friends, who gave as much and sometimes even more they they did. Wether they were military professionals or civilians, as people, their lives mattered. And still do.
To friends on the east coast, please be safe. To all my friends here, thank you for being my friend. It is the signal greatest and best gift I've ever been given.
Blessed be
Thank you for your service. I know you didn't do it for the thanks, not many do, but all who take up a thankless job deserve it.
The world seemed like a scarier place for me and my friend as we sat watching the news in England after school. We really couldn't believe that could happen. We'd never heard or seen anything like it in our thirteen years, except in movies. We honestly expected it to be an elaborate hoax.
My love and thoughts to all those affected by loss, grief and anger yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Thanks for the reminder! I served too. USAF retired 31 years service. From Southern Watch to Iraq the deployments were numerous. Today and everyday we remember. Toast to those who have gone before. Salute!
It was definitely a surreal experience. One of those days in history that, if you were alive (and potentially in the right country), you remember the details of for the rest of your life. Our equivalent of the Kennedy assassination or moon landing.
Aside from the obvious reason, that day will be forever engrained in my brain. I was in my 6th grade homeroom when we heard the announcement that (at least) the first plane had already hit. I'm in the New York suburbs; it was my father's first day at a new job with JetBlue Airways, and I had NO idea where his new office was. I ran straight to the principal's office to call my mother (didn't have a cell phone yet), and I found a fifth-grade girl already being held by her mother.
I got my mother on the phone, and she told me my father was nowhere near the WTC. When he got home from work that day, though, he told us he could see the planes crashing through his office window. I thank God that 9/11 wasn't a direct tragedy for my family, though it is most definitely a national one. One that we as Americans will never forget.
Thank you for your years of service, Olden. We're lucky to have had people like you out in the field when that day came about.
That's quite a nice piece. Thank you for your service.