story6656.xml

story6656.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-12

I was making my son breakfast before he left for school...he was in 2nd grade. I had the small t.v. on in our kitchen to catch the weather report...I never caught the weather report that day. The images of those planes hitting the world trade center had to be the scariest thing I have ever seen. Then the report of the Pentagon being hit. My husband, Steve, is in the Air Force Reserves, and after what I had just witnessed, I knew that we would be affected by it. No, we don't live in NY or DC, but we were going to be a part of all of this craziness, because I knew it had to be a terrorist attack. My son was intrigued by what we were seeing, but was still young enough to not be emotionally devastated by it, but I did explain that some bad guys flew those planes into those buildings. After I got him off to school, I left the house with my, then, 2 year old son. I had to leave, as our phone was ringing off the hook, people were stressed out, wanting to know if my husband would have to be deployed...but, I couldn't answer their questions, and I was trying to remain calm, for my kids mainly...it was very difficult. I wanted to go to NY and DC and help, but knew that wasn't feasible. I felt helpless, and wondered if anything else would happen. My husband was called to Active Duty, not immediately after the incidents, but later in 2002...he was gone to 2 different areas of the Middle East, and although that is one of the most stressful things we have ever had to endure, he or I wouldn't have done it any other way. He is a very proud American and I am very proud of him...and so are our 2 young sons. They were such good little troopers when he was gone, I am very blessed.
To all the families who lost loved ones, I am sorry for you from the bottom of my heart...it was devastating. I can only imagine the sadness and disbelief you must have felt and still be feeling. I hope all of you are able to make sense of this life and keep on going...I know it can't be easy for you. I am grateful to have my husband back home for the time being, safe and sound...but please know this...with people like him in the military, your loved ones lives won't have been lost in vain...he will more than likely be going back over there, and we will be supportive of whatever he does. You didn't know the danger your loved ones were going into that day, but we know when he leaves on an airplane to go over there, he is in the face of danger. We don't rest...but we are proud Americans. To all the military members in the Middle East right now, and to their families:
Hang in there!!!! and...God Bless America!!!!