story1337.xml

story1337.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-08-20

It was late September the 10th when my fianc?e (Ann) and I were saying our good-byes to one another when we both realized that my soon to be daughter (Ashley) had told me to be careful for about the 6th time that evening. Even before hanging up the phone she had to tell me once more to ?be careful and I Love You?. This was something she had not done a lot in the few months her mother and I had been dating so I was pleased that she was finally coming around. Or did she just have a feeling

The morning of September 11th started the same for me as it does thousands of American business professionals that must travel for a living. Up at four in the morning to catch that early flight. I was flying from Greensboro, NC about an hour and a half away from my home in N Wilkesboro, NC to Houston TX. Ann has never been one to want copies of my itineraries. She said if something ever happened she would rather be able to keep her faith as long as possible that I was OK than to know for sure. So I usually tell her where I am going and when I will call. When I landed in Charlotte, NC to catch a connecting (Cheaper flight) to Houston. I realized I had forgotten to mention something to Ann so I picked up the phone and gave her a call. Ashley answered and it started again. ?Be careful, I love you?. ? I love you too sweetie, let me talk to your mama.? Again we were both amazed by Ashley?s newfound love for me. Shortly there after I boarded my plane to Houston. As usual I went straight to sleep before we ever left the airstrip. A few hours into the trip I was awaken by the pilot saying ?Can I have your attention!? ?President Bush has just declared a National State of Emergency and has ordered all planes to land at the nearest Airport.? For us that was Jackson Mississippi. People immediately started griping about how they were going to get to their destination. My thoughts were Saddam Hussein was at it again. As the plane neared the ground people started turning on cell phones to try to get a jump on the rental car industry. Once on the ground I too turned on my cell phone to begin making calls. The phone immediately flashed that I had 4 voice messages so I began to listen. All 4 were from Ann the first was ?Sweetie Call me when you land? The second about the same but a little shaky. By the fourth she was in a calm state of hysteria if you will. At this point I was just finding out what had happened and I couldn?t understand why she was so upset she knew I was heading to Texas. I immediately called her office and to the day I die I will never forget the receptionist saying, ?Our prayers have been answered? before beginning to cry and screaming to Ann that I was on the phone. It was then that I found out that they had not released where the other planes had came from only the first one. It was definitely a time of rejoice and relief. The relief that many families did not get. Ashley on the other hand had to wait till after school to find out that I was OK. Her school decided that this was such a historical event that they rolled TV?s into every room so the students could watch the events unfold not thinking that some of the students may have someone out there that they were concerned about. She said she watched and she prayed that I was OK. As I began the long 13 hour drive home I called my office to let everyone know that I was OK and to also check to see If the guys in the office where all accounted for. I knew several where in the area and may have been on those flights. It was several hours before they were all accounted for and luckily we lost no one.

Thousands of people lost someone near to them on this tragic day. I thank God that he let me return home safe to my friends and family and has allowed me to begin a new adventure as a new husband and father. I still travel for a living and every time I schedule a flight I remember the events of September 11th. They are forever etched in my soul.