Remembering 9/11/01

Even 11 years later if I see a 9/11 special on TV I am in the same mindset I was on that day 11 years ago. I still have the same reactions, the same tears, the same disbelief. I know that there are people out there who want to "move on" or they don't want to watch specials or see things on the internet because they don't want to experience those emotions again, but for me I don't ever want to forget. I don't want to forget those people who lost their life, the people who sacrificed themselves trying to save others, the heroes that emerged that day. So in honor of 9/11 I am going to share my story of where I was and what I experienced that day as I watched and learned of the attack.

I was working at a Travel Company and Mike and I had only been dating a little over 4 months. I had just parked my car and got on the shuttle bus to go over to my building when I heard one of my co-workers say "how is that an accident? I mean how could a plane not see that building". I had no idea what she was talking about and dismissed it. Once I entered my building I knew something was different. People were talking more than usual and there was just a different feeling in the office. I learned pretty quickly that a 2nd plane had hit and that it was now not a suspected accident but a terrorist attack on our country.

We had many clients all over the country and in other countries. Once they closed down airports everywhere we began receiving calls from frantic passengers who were now stranded away from their families. We had some people wanting us to verify their loved ones were not on the planes that had hit the towers and pentagon. My co-workers began putting up tv's all over the office so we could keep a close eye on what was going on. Mike was at his house sleeping because he had worked the night before and I called him quickly and told him to get up and turn on the TV. I remember listening to him go "oh wow.... oh man!.... " and then hanging up because I wanted to watch more of the coverage myself.

For several days the TV's stayed up around the office then one by one people starting taking them down. They said they needed a break from it, and that they needed to get back to life, which I completely understand, but I just couldn't. I just kept watching when I could and it was hard taking my mind off of it.

I traveled after 9/11 a few times for work and you could see how much had changed. Some people complained but I was thankful. I knew it took longer to get to my airplane but I wanted to make sure they were doing everything they could to keep me safe.

11 years later.... I still watch the specials on the news stations around 9/11. I probably always will. I don't ever want to forget that day. I want to honor the people who died. I will always want to remember the people! I want the families to know that WE WILL NEVER FORGET!