nmah5405.xml

nmah5405.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2003-01-13

My oldest son Brian is a United States Marine. At that time Brian was assigned with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. We live in Northern California and he was just ending his ten-day leave to head back to Camp Lejeune, NC to begin a six-month float to the mediterranean. We left our home at 5:45 a.m. to head to Sacramento to catch his flight back. We had stopped by a drive-thru coffee shop for a mocha and hot chocolate for the long ride to the airport. At 6:00 a.m. I overhear one of the young ladies tell the other young lady about an airplane that hit the World Trade Center. I thought to myself, "Wow, what an unfortunate tragic accident". I thought it might have been a small aircraft that possibly flew too low or maybe lost direction, etc. I had no idea. (I never could have imagined in my wildest dreams the magnitude of what had just happened, even after seeing it on TV later that day). The thought was quickly dismissed as we got out onto the highway heading to the airport. I visited with my precious son as we traveled along, listening to CD's, just enjoying the last of his visit, talking about how the next six months were going to be for him at sea and in new countries.

It was a very overcast and near drizzly day. We were approximately 40 minutes to the airport when my husband calls on my cell phone and tells me there has been a horrible accident in New York. He asked me if I had been listening to the radio and the news. No, we had not. He proceeds to tell me the airport would be closed and we needed to return home. New to this whole military thing, I felt I needed to get my son to the airport so he could "check in" with someone as proof he at least tried to return. No such thing....the airport was indeed closed, only open for those to pick up loved ones.

We turned on the radio and the horror began unfolding. We listened to Dan Rather over and over and over telling the account of the horrific tragedy that changed our world forever. When we finally arrived home, we turned on the TV. I had been hearing the verbal accounts on the radio all morning, but I was not prepared for what I visually saw on the TV. I cried and cried. My heart went out to all those people who lost their lives and those who were there to actually witness this disaster.

I felt such pride in my son and the path he had chosen. Yes, our lives have certainly changed, never to be the same again. My faith in God has deepened even more.

I felt blessed that I had Brian with me another three days and that he was not just out there in the United States somewhere after the President ordered all planes grounded. It was so strange to not hear the sound of a plane overhead for several days.

Brian was able to get back to NC four days later. Once back in NC, he worked around the clock to finish readying for his deployment to the Med. Ultimately, he ended up in Afghanistan (Operation Enduring Freedom) on the hunt for al-quaida. He was deployed for seven months, during which time we had very little contact with him. I am so proud of him! My faith in God sustained me through this ordeal.

I feel a deeper spiritual awakening, I no longer take many things for granted. I appreciate even the little things in life and let the insignificant 'problems" in life slide. Even though I have always been a Christian believer, my faith has grown even more. Thank you, Jesus!

All those special people who lost their lives and those who cared for the injured. The courage, the bravery and the patriotism of our great country. May God continue to bless America!

We have always been a patriotic family and have flown the flag. Now I have added the Marine Corps flag.