Can't remember the last time I decided to write. But something makes me write this evening. The anniversary of one of the most tragic moments in our history is upcoming. This day has been known as September 11th since the year 2001. Do you remember where you were the moment the news broke? I was working at Alsup Inc. Belleville Il. I was running late that morning and pulled in my parking spot just as news broke a plane had struck the World Trade Center. At that point it was rumored it was a small plane. I thought how strange it was that a plane would be that close to the Towers. As the news unfolded, my heart dropped along with millions of others.
It was so strange. My husband and I had been dating for a year on the 9th of September. We had taken the Metrolink out of lack of anything else to do that day. We road the train all the way to Lambert. We sat in the restaurant and watched the planes take off into the sky. We marveled at the power and ability of the planes as they lifted off the earth below their wheels and carried passengers to their destinations. At the time, I had also been trying to find my place in the world. Derrek mentioned maybe I could be a flight attendant. I'd get to travel and visit far off destinations, meet interesting people, etc. Little did I know that two days later, those glorious birds we watched lift off, would be the focus of fear and tragedy.
Tonight I happened to catch the Discovery Channel's "Rising", the story of the new tower and museums. It's touching the stories that have come out and how each there were not just so many people killed, they were individuals, with families, with lives that touched others. One man decided to donate the one item he given after losing his brother. His brother's ID. His brother had stayed behind to help his co-worker who was in a wheelchair. The Id is tattered, but his picture is purely visible. Just one item to prove that his brother was there that day. That he valued someone else's life above his own.
One of the most profound stories in this program was the lowering of Ladder 3 into the museum. Ladder 3 was led by Patrick "Paddy" Brown. He led his firefighters into the North Tower. His last words were his team was headed up. While so many were headed down the stairs to safety, he was headed up to save others. Just amazing that there are people so willing to give themselves to help others. The story is just one of many that touch my heart.
While many of us see the World Trade Center as the main story of 9/11, those that lost their lives in the Pentagon and in Pennsylvania, are to be remembered as well. Let us remember all those that perished that day; all those with families left behind to tell their story. The ones who left children, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, and siblings behind. I can't imagine what those families have been through, but I give them prayers and thoughts of strength on September 11th and each day.
"Remember the past and honor the future" - Mike Penelli, General Superitendant, Tishman Construction
