As I read people describe what they were doing when they heard the news, I noticed something. Of all the varying descriptions of what people had going on that morning, one thing is clear. No one was doing anything that was so "important" that they just went on with their day. Once it was clear that the first plane hitting the first tower was no accident, it seems like everyone was glued to the TV. School, careers, and leisure activities weren't important at that moment. Uneasy, scared, mad... these are the feelings that are described in the posts I read. There are only two events in my lifetime that I can remember so vividly where I was... one was watching the challenger explosion live from home as a kid with my parents because we were out of school for a snow day. The other was 9/11.
On September 11, 2001, I was in my second year of grad school at North Georgia. It must have been "work on your thesis" day, because otherwise I would have probably been in class by 8am. Instead I was asleep when the first plane hit the tower. I actually received a phone call from a classmate telling me that a plane flew into the WTC tower. Probably like most people, I assumed that a small plane crashed into the building and it was an accident. Nonetheless, I got up and turned on the news... just in time before the second plane hit. At that point I knew something was wrong. I don't even remember anything else that day after the towers fell. I have no idea if classes were cancelled. I don't remember if I did any work that day. All I know is that we were uneasy, upset, and mad.
I don't think a day goes by for most of us that we don't think about 9/11 because we listen to the news and we've been at war ever since. But I couldn't imagine what it's like for someone who lost a loved one that day. Just last year, I learned that a new coworker had lost her dad that day working in the WTC. She was the first person I knew of that lost someone that close. I couldn't imagine if that was me. I don't know how I would move on without having feeling of madness every day. But we have stood strong and fought back.
I am thankful for those in our armed services who are putting their lives at risk to protect our freedoms. Especially my friends from North Georgia College who graduated from our military program. I'm so proud to have gone to a school with so many brave people who were choosing a career in the Army. For those in my graduating class in 2000, I'm sure you weren't expecting to be at war the next year. But for those that continue to enlist or attend a military college or academy with hopes to commission, I commend your bravery.
Two years ago, I was walking down the isle. It's not that I chose to get married or wanted to get married on the date 9/11, but it was the only date left open for the remainder of the fall at the outdoor venue I fell in love with. I'm sure people were avoiding that date like the plague, but I decided I would turn this date into something positive for me. Although I will always remember what happened on this day on 2001, I will also never forget what happened on 09/11/09.This photo was taken on 09/11/04. My buddy Jeff and I were in Columbia, SC, for the UGA/USC game. And yes, UGA won that day!
