nmah5002.xml

nmah5002.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-16

I am a manager at Philadelphia International Airport and a Helicopter Crewchief for the PA Army National Guard. I was on the phone at PHL when I was told an aircraft had just hit the World Trade Center. I immediately went to our executive offices to see the television. Soon as I got there, the second aircraft hit.
By 1 PM, the airport was empty except for selected staff members and a very dedicated security team. I stayed at work until almost 7 PM, and the buildings were empty on Wednesday and Thursday as well.
I spent Saturday at my National Guard unit, and Sunday and Monday at Ground Zero pulling guard duty on Cedar Street between Broadway and Church. I've never seen this type of devastation in my life. I haven't been activated for service to support the war on terrorism, but if and when I am, I will be extremely proud to do so. God Bless us all.

There isn't a day that passes without a thought of what happened. Every time I put on my Army uniform or walk through Philadelphia Airport, I think that there may be another attack or I may have to respond to some form of an emergency. I think it is more of a state of readiness or situational awareness than a reaction to fear or terror. I think these kinds of people will always be around trying to inflict pain or suffering to advance their cause. They will always fail because these activities simply bond us closer and unite us in our resolve to be free.

I think those who lost loved ones should be remembered first. Second, those who made sacrifices at all levels to support the recovery efforts which still continue today. Last, we should honor our military, as they continue to stand as our front line defense on a National level.
Without a ranking, I think we should always remember the children of this time and help them understand that everything will be ok and that we can all lean on each other until the pain is gone, and as long as the memories flare up in our hearts.

Am I Torn or Tattered

Sgt. Sam Mason 1-104th Air Cavalry, PA-ANG 9/10/2002

Am I your flag,
On your home or your car,
Do I hang from your window,
Have we both traveled far?

Has a whole year gone by,
Has reality hit deep,
Has the wind ripped my edges,
Or torn the stripes that I keep?

Do my colors seem faded,
The sun bleached me its true,
Do I show signs of worry,
Am I Red, White, and Blue?

Its been more than one year,
Since I was raised towards the sun,
Flying proud in our history,
And in great battles weve won.

I still show were together,
That what we fight for is real,
That our worst enemy is fear,
And the loss that we feel.

For suffer we shall,
But united well stand,
Protecting our future,
And our love for this land.

We know in our hearts,
In our minds and our soul,
That we fight for our freedom,
And what makes us whole.

Am I your flag,
Yes, Ill do what I do,
Representing our way of life,
The Red, White and Blue.

Show your Pride, If I look worn or damaged, go buy a new flag!