September 11, 2001 was a day of uncertainty and yes, fear. None of us knew what was happening. We all remember where we were.
From my 2001 web page entry
I am up at 7:30 this morning. I make sure Kenny has everything for his day at school. He leaves the house at 7:50.
“He’s lucky” I thought. “All he has to do is hop the fence in the back yard and he’s on school grounds.”
I cook my usual 2 egg sandwiches and eat breakfast while watching an episode of “Everybody Loves Raymond” that I taped last night. Around 8:30 I pour a cup of decaf and head for the office. God knows I have plenty to do.
Around 8:50, Lonna calls from her office. “Hi sweetie.”
“Hey. What’s up?” I ask.
“Have you got the TV on?” she asks, with a certain uneasiness in her voice.
“No. Why?” I reply, puzzled by her tone and the call.
“A plane just crashed into the World Trade Center.”
“Oh no” I gasped, reaching over to turn on the 5″ black and white TV on my desk. I couldn’t believe what she was telling me. “When did this happen?”
“Just a couple of minutes ago. They think we’re under attack by terrorists.”
“Dear God, they’re probably right. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I guess. I need to get back to work…if I can. I just thought I’d call to tell you.”
“Yeah…huh…okay” I mumbled. I couldn’t take my eyes off the tiny screen. “I’ll talk to you later, honey. I…I love you”
“Love you too.” she said, then hung up.
In order for our country to once again be the beacon of peace and hope around the world, we must remember this day, without fear.
Sincerely,