#NeverForget

9/11/15

Have to start off with #Never Forget. It has been fourteen years since 9/11 and I still find this day to be just as emotional as it was then. Amazed to see how many tributes there were and how many people took a pause in their day to remember those who were lost as well as those who were left behind. Even more amazing were the stories and tributes to all of the men and women who helped, from first responders to those still serving overseas. 

I have seen many people sharing the story of where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news. Here is what I remember.

I was at the real estate office where I worked finishing up some paperwork as I planned to take off early that day. Joe and I were taking my son and his friend to an Aerosmith concert. I am a die hard Steven Tyler fanatic and we had bought these tickets months earlier. We were driving a few hours away, up to VA Beach, to see them. Floor seats just a few rows back, center of the stage. Everyone in the office had been giving me a hard time about driving so far for a concert and we were busy comparing notes on the best route to drive when our broker called out for us to all come to the conference room.

She had a small portable television (it was usually kept in the break area) set up at one end of the table. The news was on and we spent the rest of the day huddled around the table watching that tiny TV screen. 

Living in a military town, everyone was on high alert. Military bases were considered prime targets and our town literally went into lock down mode. All of us had someone who was in someway involved, either there in town or in NYC. Honestly, I think that was one of the longest days of my life. Seems like the bad news just kept coming. 

I don't remember driving home. I don't remember thinking about the concert. What I remember was the overwhelming need to hug Joe and each one of my kids. 

Once home, seemed like all the neighbors had gathered outside to talk and share stories of what they knew or heard. I remember being anxious to hear from my family as they all lived up North. A few of our neighbors had already been notified that they lost family members who were working in the Towers as had a few of my fellow real estate agents. 

I remember feeling totally outraged at this senseless act that had led to these horrific losses; I also remember feeling guilty for being euphoric that all of my family and friends were safe and accounted for. The strongest emotion that I remember was the sadness of knowing that life was never going to be quite the same for any of us.

In the days that followed there wasn't a place in our town that didn't have sign or a flag or a ribbon outside. Everywhere you looked you saw a circle of people comforting someone. Airports, trains and buses were closed, the base was on lock down and concerts and sporting events were cancelled. TV's were on and people were watching and hoping for any scrap of good news. 

Slowly the days turned to weeks, months and finally years. Tributes and memorials, towers and museums, tons of American flags and yearly fundraising events all helped to keep the memories alive. Sadly, the threat of this happening again is all to real and overseas efforts to stop terrorism continue.

I am proud to say that my circle of family and friends is mostly made up of soldiers in all branches of the military, police officers, and firemen! And of course all of  their spouses and children. I know how hard each and every one of them worked before, during and continue to work today-in the after. 

Kudos to one and all, whatever your contribution. And to everyone who was touched, I promise I will never forget.