story5015.xml

story5015.xml

born-digital

story

yes

no

2002-09-11

I am a member of the United States Air Force. I woke up that morning and it felt the same as any morning. I did not get a chance to watch the news so I caught it on the way to work on the radio. I remember trying to determine if the news commentator was speaking of events on American soil or was it somewhere else. In the midst of my confusion I heard mention of the World Trade Center, The Pentagon, and another aicraft off its course. I listened in shock and unbelief. Who dare attack our mainland? How did this happen and who let it happen? My heart cried out to God some how I knew He was giving us as a country a wake up call. Were we really a united country? Do we really trust in God as we say we do on the money? Was our country focused on our good deeds more than our heart and soul as a nation? All of these thoughts raced through my head. I had finally reached work (McChord AFB)and everyone was either war-ready in despair or in shock. We had already begun to gear up for world wide support and from that day on for the next month I was working 12 hour shifts. All eyes were fixed on the television that day at work. Some of us wanted to blow some people up, some of us wanted all Muslims removed from our country and some just wanted the security of yesterday. As I watched the names, ages and occupations of those killed scroll across the television screen it became so much more personal. I was infuriated even more. But when my anger settled I was amazed at how united our country was and how we seemed to move as one unit in the same direction. Differences no longer mattered for a time and our fast pace slowed down to remorse over lost lives. We all cherished the lost lives of the brethren we never even knew. As a nation we hurt, cried, angered, feared, and gathered as one. The American flag was waved and posted on every vehicle and home. Memebers of the Armed Forces were appreciated and honored. People were reminded why they pay taxes to support the military and even a discount on purchases was not asked for but freely granted. Today I write this on the anniversary of that dreaded day. The airman of McChord AFB just disassembled from a base wide retreat. It was a sight to see and something I will always remember. Even the anniversary of these terrible event brought us all together again for a short moment in time. God bless America forever and always. Here's a poem I wrote shortly following the event. It helped me cope and place all of my feelings in one place.

11 September 01

Numbness infiltrates the nations hearts
Terrorism tore our souls apart
An exploding tower tumbling down
Lives in danger leaping from heights above,
Flashing life?s thoughts of the ones they love.
An airplane reserved as a casket closed
With victims forced to yield their souls.
Moments later additional despair
Another flying casket diving from air
Another exploding tower tumbling down.
Manhattan massacre began this daylong nightmare
Paralyzing our country, once, fast paced, now, motionless terror.
Husbands, wives, fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers,
Sisters, nephews, nieces, cousins, grandfathers, grandmothers,
Best friends, best men, and matrons? of honor?lie lifeless,
In an instant lives are changed forever.
Breaking news, breaking homes and hearts.
All differences aside fifty states united together,
And in unison prayed to God our Father.
Once politically correct, dare not offend,
careful, speak not His name.
However not caring to misuse it in vain
Now to Him, we turn, careful not to offend,
Our Alpha and Omega, our beginning, and our end.