September 11, 2001 Never Forget

Sept.11, 2001 is one of those days in our lives that we can tell you exactly where we were and what we were doing. I remember waking up to the alarm at 5:45 PDT and the DJ saying "we have no idea what's going on in New York City but please be in prayer for all those involved." My wife and I looked at each other, like what on earth is he talking about. We both jumped out of bed and headed to the living room to turn on the TV. We were greeted with images of the first tower on fire, then seconds later the second jet liner struck the second tower. We both collapsed to the floor it total disbelief of what we had just witnessed. Then the reports of a 3rd jet liner had crashed into the Pentagon. We knew it wasn't just a bad dream that we couldn't wake up from.


As we drove to work we continued to listen to the reports of the towers collapsing from their own weight caused by the weakening of the steel structures from the jet fuel fed fires. It was one of te quietest drives I've ever taken. It was impossible to get your mind around how such things could happen anywhere let alone in the United States. The one thing we knew was someone had brought the war to our shores.

For us the entire situation was very surreal as we had been in New York in November of 2000 for a company function. Some of our group had gone to the World Trade Center Towers on our free day from the company functions. We choose to walk from the Plaza Hotel, which was the host hotel for the event, down to the Empire State Building. It was a beautiful day, a light jacket was all that was required. From the observation deck of the Empire State building we could see for miles. To the south of us we could barely see the WTC towers through the high level fog. The photo we have is a very ghostly image of the Towers through the fog.

That Saturday was Veteran's Day, we stood with thousands and watched the Parade to honor those who had served in the defense of our great nation. One group of marchers that drew my attention was the FDNY. They looked fantastic in their dress uniforms, and you knew just by they way they presented themselves they were proud of the service they render to the city. After Sept.11th I've often wondered if any of those Firefighters who we photographed in the parade were no longer with us due to the events of that day.

Never forget, the lives that were lost that day or those lost since. To do so would cheapen their lives and dishonor them.