Sunday, September 11, 2011

I remember

It's been ten years, but it feels just as recent as yesterday. I remember. I remember it all.

I remember where I was and what I was doing. As a New Yorker, I was especially shocked and angry that someone was attacking my home! Someone was killing my countrymen! As I sat on my couch, drinking my morning coffee and planning my day...I watched dumbstruck as our country was attacked. Like most Americans, I was shocked but also unable to really absorb what was happening.

Do you remember that day? Do you remember what an absolutely gorgeous, brilliant day it was? Such a contrast to the horror that was about to begin.

I saw the second plane hit. Live. Thomas had just come home from the recruiting station to be with me and we saw it together. I think I screamed. Because we knew. This was no accident. And like Pearl Harbor, we all knew our country was at war.

The instant inferno. We knew that lives, so many lives, were just as instantly extinguished.

Raising our flag.

Terrorists thought to change the landscape of our country. And they did. Flags went up EVERYWHERE. There wasn't a flag left in any store and were back ordered for months. If you had one, you flew it. Proudly. We got kicked, but we were going to kick back!!

I didn't know at the time how being an Army wife, an Army family, was going to change my life so drastically ten years ago, but I'm proud to have lived up to the challenge. I'm proud of my country and our military. And I'm proud to be a New Yorker. I'm proud to be an Air Force Mom, and an Army Mom...knowing our country is still at war, and that my children could be called upon to defend our country, at the cost of their lives. Freedom isn't free. It must be defended at all times, at all costs.

I'm proud to be an American!

11 comments:

Sueann said...

I too remember and will never forget!!
Hugs
SueAnn

Karen and Gerard said...

I remember too. I was at work when it happened and word spread very quickly. We had the TV on in the conference room and people gathered around to watch. Everyone was in shock! It was a beautiful day in Cleveland and we got out before noon because we were in a tall building downtown. My husband got out of work early too. We both watched more on TV at home and then had to get away from it for awhile. We went to play tennis.

Mary said...

Great reflection. I was driving to my mom's house after dropping Eric off @ work & I remember a quite blip of news on the radio that a plane had hit the tower & that was it. When I arrived @ my moms house & turned on the TV I also saw the second tower hit Live. I was awe struck, and it change the course of every Americans life since. I grew up an Air Force brat & am proud to be an Army wife.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Beautiful thoughts Jeannie.
Thank you to your hubs for his military sacrifice.

Unknown said...

I am so glad Thomas was able to get home to you!

Heatherlyn said...

Those acts definitely changed the world, in some ways for the better. But it was still an awful tragedy and many many people have since sacrificed their lives to defend our freedoms. It is something we should be mindful of daily.

joe tacoma said...

Great tribute, Jeannie.

KatCollects said...

Beautiful post, big hugs to you Jeannie.
Kathy

Toriz said...

Beautiful post!

I remember too, but I was 16, and it was so far away... Teenagers tend to think if it doesn't affect them directly, or isn't happening on their doorstep then it's OK. I was wrong, but I was a teenager, and I think most - if not all - of us did or thought things we aren't exactly proud of when we were teenagers.

AliceKay said...

I, too, think this is a beautiful post. *hugs*

Dorkys Ramos said...

I remember being with friends in a car on our way to class and hearing the news on Howard Stern's radio show. Naturally I thought it was some sick joke until we got to class and learned what was going on. Stupid part was that we had to keep working and designing until class was over around noon all the while watching bits and pieces on TV.

Once I got to my room I couldn't stop watching those scenes over and over while crying. I can't believe it's been 10 years already.