story7606.xml

story7606.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-16

I live in Sumner, WA and left for Columbia, SC with my best friend to celebrate my 17 year old son's completion of basic training at Fort Jackson, SC. He was graduating on the 13th of Sept. so we had arrived a few days earlier to sightsee and were planning on leaving the day of his graduation. We had planned to go to Myrtle Beach the day of the 11th and had risen early to get ready. Turning on the TV, everything seemed normal until the breaking news came through that a plane had hit the Trade Center. Like the rest of the country we assumed it was just a tragic accident and felt for the victims. Although that had the two of us surprised at what we were seeing, nothing could have prepared us for what was about to happen. As we listened to the news show reporting what was happening, I sat there watching another plane come into view. My initial thought was that plane should not be flying that low and they must be wanting to get a closer view of the accident. When suddenly there was a fire ball and black smoke coming from the second tower. Unbelievable! At that second there was no question this was no accident. Words cannot describe the sick and sudden quiet panic that came over me. Needless to say, we did not go on our usual happy selves that day. Confusion surrounded us trying to figure out our next move. Ft. Jackson went on high alert immediately and no one knew if we would be allowed on the base. I was scared for us as individuals, as a country and I was frightened for my child. But with the highest level of security, checking all bags and cars, they did allow us to come onto the fort for the ceremonies. And I could find no better place to be to feel energized by the patriotism. A calmness came over me by being around the military personnel that helped me through those uncertain days. Although we could not get home that day, or for several days after that, I felt a determination to keep calm and find a flight that would return us to our families. The Military would not allow the boys to fly home and they were put on Greyhound buses and told not to wear their uniforms. As for me and my friend, it took us another 3 days to get a flight and then 27 hours 6 different airports to make it home. Flights were cancelled and there was a lot of waiting in lines to get another flight. From Columbia, Washington DC, Chicago, Denver, San Francisco and finally Portland. From there I drove the rest of the way home just to avoid having to wait until the next day for a flight to Seattle. Of all those airports only Chicago proved to be the least patient and the most crowded (of course). I still carry that feeling with me today of how I felt on that fort. Although I worry a great deal about the military personnel having to fight, I am secure in the knowledge that they are ready and able to take care of business.