September 11, 2001 - Have You Forgotten?

Happy Saturday, Shopaholics! I'm off to the Alabama vs. Penn State game in Tuscaloosa today, which is going to be fun, fun and more fun....but it just didn't feel right not to discuss the 9th anniversary of the September 11 attacks on our nation.

Have you forgotten? Have the memories dulled? In my opinion, this was the Pearl Harbor of MY generation. We were confused; under attack and didn't even realize it. I haven't talked to one person who doesn't remember where they were - and what they were doing - when they received the news of the first plane crashing into the north tower of the World Trade Center.

I always believed someone upstairs was looking out for me. I just happened to be at the beach, on a week's vacation when my Mother called us with the news of the attacks. I'm only slightly embarrased to tell you DH and I were still sleeping when the first plane hit. 

During that time period, I had a job where I traveled every single week. Left on Monday morning and returned on Friday night, like clockwork. I was spending a lot of time at our then office in Alexandria, VA - right outside Washington DC. Matter of fact, I'd been in DC the week before the attacks. I spent more than my share of time at Pentagon City - the mall right across the freeway from the Pentagon. And for the record, I never understood how the plane that hit the Pentagon didn't end up on the freeway....Anyway...

Even now, I hate looking at photos of the attacks...but these photos, taken of the Manhattan skyline on the afternoon and evening of Sept. 11, give me a sense of peace, while bringing tears to my eyes. To me - they embody the spirit of America. 





There are so many images of the devastation that occured on September 11, 2001. Not just in New York, but also at the Pentagon and in a field in Pennsylvania. You can look at them online if you'd like - for those who lived that day "live" - you'll never forget. Personally, I'll never forget what I saw unfold on national television right in front of my eyes.

On this, the 9th anniversary of September 11, let's remember all of those innocent people who lost their lives. Let's not forget about the heroes of that day - the firefighters, police, port authority workers, pilots, flight attendants, passengers who tried to take over planes, and last but certainly not least - our military. So many heroes that had to feel like the situation they were fighting was absolutely hopeless - but they did everything they could at that time. They did what they were trained to do - protect all of US. For that, I am eternally grateful.

Whatever you are doing today, remember to count your blessings. Say a little prayer or positive thought for those who lost loved ones on this very day nine years ago. And above all, don't take our freedom for granted.

Comments

  1. I grew up in Manhattan. It will always and forever be my home. As a young girl I lived on The Upper East Side, worlds away from the Towers. I had seen them only a handful of times... I saw them more when I moved to Connecticut in my 20s. I would go for long walks on the beach in Greenwich and would see the towers daily, staring back at me reminding me that my home was just a small body of water away. The skyline was forever altered that day... New Yorkers as strong and resilient and eternally optimistic. In my community it seems we have either all been touched or know someone who has. In memory... with love... XOXO

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  2. It was the day after my birthday.
    I was getting dressed and I had just had a call from a friend to say happy birthday.
    A bit later my boss called just as I was about to leave for work and he stated he would not be opening for the day( as it turned out he didn't open for a few days).
    I was also trying to reach my husband. He was starting a new job. The week before this happened we had been in New York celebrating the wedding of his brother. His brother was on his honeymoon otherwise he would have been at work in the 2nd tower.
    My sister was just two weeks out from a bone marrow transplant because she had had stage 4 Non-Hodgkin's Luymphoma. My father was on his way to the hospital to spend some time with her. She is the mother of a beautiful lively 7 yr old now.

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  3. Even throughout this Football Saturday, I keep thinking about that day... The pictures still bring tears to my eyes.

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