September 11

In September of 2001, I was 22 years old and worked evenings for Airtran Airways. Usually, I slept in since I always got home so late from work. That Tuesday morning, I was up much earlier than normal and turned on the tv. Not even to watch, just to have background noise as I began to get ready for a new day. What I saw and what immediately got my attention had me transfixed and horrified. The first plane had just hit. I sat down and was stunned. I called a friend and fellow coworker to wake him up and have him turn on his tv. By this point, the 2nd plane had hit. The range of emotions that went through me changed from horror to sadness to fear to anger... With tears streaming down my face I called my mom at work to see if she had heard. She worked in Atlanta right next to our capitol building and by this point all the news about the Pentagon was pouring through. Who knew what city or building was targeted next? My dad also worked at the airport, were things going on at our airport in Atlanta? I mean, it is the busiest airport so it's not a crazy thought. All my friends in NYC and DC were on my mind, plus all my friends that were traveling. I couldn't leave my tv. I couldn't stop watching all the footage.
There's no question that work that evening was the worst work day of my life. Anyone that worked for an airline at that time and had to work that day can probably tell you the same thing. I was born with an intense sense of patriotism. I live for July 4th! So going to work in a reservations center for an airline on a day that something of this magnitude occured just stirred all that up. Every airport was shut down. People with flight reservations, no matter if the flight was for 6 months into the future, were calling to cancel. People with flights that day or the next day were calling to get more information that we didn't have to give. Thousands of calls that day and most everyone was scared and stunned and uncertain about everything. So many would call crying and I would end up crying right along with them. For several days after it was the same scenario, except by this point everyone was wearing their American Flag pins.
10 years later, that same footage still envokes the same emotions, minus the fear. Granted the fear was more about the unknown and the location of where many loved ones (whether parents or friends) worked. I still get angry, I still get sad, and I'm still horrified by what happened. I'm glad that so many people got on board the patriotic train, but it would be nice for them to have already been and continue to stay on that train instead of just when certain days appear on the calendar. I applaud and thank any person that fight in our militaries. Some were so moved by that day that they went out and joined the military. Some that were about to get out, decided to stay and re-enlisted.
I knew going into my church service this morning that I would need kleenex as we recognized any in our congregation that are or were members of our military, police force, and fire departments, and I did. It pains me to know that so many people don't care about what our great country was originally founded on and that there were so many 9/11 services today that didn't include an ounce of religion. I know that I was fortunate and had the benefit of parents who made a point to have me in church every week from the time I was born and taught me also on their own about God. And what happened on that unforgettable day just screams to me the need to be at church in some manner. Even if it's just my house and me alone with a Bible. This country still needs God just like it did in 1776 and it's entirely possible that she needs Him more now then she did back then. So my tears this morning were not only being shed about the tragedy of attack, but for all those who try to get through life without knowing Him.
While I always appreciated our military, it took 9/11 happening for me to see the importance of thanking them for all they do at any chance that comes up. Today on my way home from church, there was a soldier in fatigues walking down the road. He was going in the opposite direction, but I couldn't stand the idea of no one stopping for him. So I turned around, said a quick prayer for protection in case he was some crazy person, pulled up next to him and asked if he needed a ride. He smiled, said thanks, and then told me how he was actually walking for a fund raiser and didn't need a ride. I told him ok, and that I just had to stop and ask, especially with today being 9/11. He went on again about how that's why he was doing what he was doing. He had actually just gotten out of the military and had been a fireman while in the military. I told him thanks for serving and he told me thanks back and gave me the same look I always get from folks in the military. A look of surprise that someone appreciates them enough to tell them that. And that's the same look that will keep me telling first responders and military a very heartfelt thanks for all they do. I encourage everyone to express appreciation to those who serve selflessly for our protection and are there when we need help. They are true definitions of the word hero.