The saying goes that time heals all wounds but 10 years after the terror attacks on the World Trade Centers, the Pentagon, and United Flight 93, I watch the news footage and feel just as devastated as if it had happened today. I would say for those horrific days times hasn't really healed anything.
September 11th, 2001
At the time Dale and I were stationed in Germany, so our experience was the same as many but different than most. Like any other day I got up and went to work at my vendor job in the BX. It was a slow day but almost every day was slow there. About 2:30 we were evacuated for a bomb threat. I didn't think much of it because frankly that was a normal part of life for us. So I headed to the Popeye's to grab lunch. It was the closest place on base that was outside the evacuation area. When I opened the door I groaned seeing how many people were there. Come to find out it wasn't just the BX that was evacuated; half the base was. A few minutes later it seemed like time stood still when someone came in saying that a plane had hit the WTC. I know many at first thought it to be a small terrible accident, but being military and standing there during a bomb threat, the truth could be seen in everyone's eyes. It wasn't long before the fears were confirmed upon hearing about the second plane hitting. America was being attacked. I'm not sure how long we were held before out bomb threat was cleared, but I do remember that I don't think anybody ended up eating before heading back to our jobs. On my way back, a friend stopped to say that a plane had hit the Pentagon and another flight was missing. The dread that filled me was almost unbearable. All I could think as I practically ran to work was "we know people at the Pentagon!"
When I arrived at the BX the parking lot was empty and there wasn't a single customer in the store. All of us gathered in the power center to watch the news. Being that we had lots of tvs we were able to watch everything: GMA, The Today Show, Cnn, you name it. I'll never forget seeing Tower 2 fall. I think that may be the most horrific thing I have ever experienced. After that, the manager shut the doors and sent us home. Dale wasn't home yet because he was at Bitburg, so I headed to Fleur's. When I got there she was freaking out because her uncle lives within walking distance of the towers and the phone lines were already bogged down. I hadn't been there long when Tower 1 replayed that fall of Tower 2. After a bit Dale made it home just before Gen. Jumper put every USAFE base in Delta lock-down for 10 days. No movement on, off, or between Spangdahlem and Bitburg. Thank goodness, he made it because I don't know how I would have functioned without him there. Not that I saw him much after that, long work hours started immediately, preparing for whatever was to come.
The next three days are a blur. I don't remember if I had to work or not. I only remember being glued to the tv and Fleur finally getting a hold of her family. I do know that I was able to talk to mine too, but not sure at what point. I think it was pretty close to the beginning. We really didn't have much contact though with the outside world. A few emails all about the events and how it was affecting the world, but not a lot else. The support we were getting from the Germans was overwhelming. The vigils they held daily at our gates were surreal. Standing on one side of a 1o' fence and watching but not being able to have contact is so strange. The emotion of communicating from the heart and eyes alone is indescribable. The German communities around us couldn't have been more encouraging.
September 11th, 2001
At the time Dale and I were stationed in Germany, so our experience was the same as many but different than most. Like any other day I got up and went to work at my vendor job in the BX. It was a slow day but almost every day was slow there. About 2:30 we were evacuated for a bomb threat. I didn't think much of it because frankly that was a normal part of life for us. So I headed to the Popeye's to grab lunch. It was the closest place on base that was outside the evacuation area. When I opened the door I groaned seeing how many people were there. Come to find out it wasn't just the BX that was evacuated; half the base was. A few minutes later it seemed like time stood still when someone came in saying that a plane had hit the WTC. I know many at first thought it to be a small terrible accident, but being military and standing there during a bomb threat, the truth could be seen in everyone's eyes. It wasn't long before the fears were confirmed upon hearing about the second plane hitting. America was being attacked. I'm not sure how long we were held before out bomb threat was cleared, but I do remember that I don't think anybody ended up eating before heading back to our jobs. On my way back, a friend stopped to say that a plane had hit the Pentagon and another flight was missing. The dread that filled me was almost unbearable. All I could think as I practically ran to work was "we know people at the Pentagon!"
When I arrived at the BX the parking lot was empty and there wasn't a single customer in the store. All of us gathered in the power center to watch the news. Being that we had lots of tvs we were able to watch everything: GMA, The Today Show, Cnn, you name it. I'll never forget seeing Tower 2 fall. I think that may be the most horrific thing I have ever experienced. After that, the manager shut the doors and sent us home. Dale wasn't home yet because he was at Bitburg, so I headed to Fleur's. When I got there she was freaking out because her uncle lives within walking distance of the towers and the phone lines were already bogged down. I hadn't been there long when Tower 1 replayed that fall of Tower 2. After a bit Dale made it home just before Gen. Jumper put every USAFE base in Delta lock-down for 10 days. No movement on, off, or between Spangdahlem and Bitburg. Thank goodness, he made it because I don't know how I would have functioned without him there. Not that I saw him much after that, long work hours started immediately, preparing for whatever was to come.
The next three days are a blur. I don't remember if I had to work or not. I only remember being glued to the tv and Fleur finally getting a hold of her family. I do know that I was able to talk to mine too, but not sure at what point. I think it was pretty close to the beginning. We really didn't have much contact though with the outside world. A few emails all about the events and how it was affecting the world, but not a lot else. The support we were getting from the Germans was overwhelming. The vigils they held daily at our gates were surreal. Standing on one side of a 1o' fence and watching but not being able to have contact is so strange. The emotion of communicating from the heart and eyes alone is indescribable. The German communities around us couldn't have been more encouraging.
The next four months we were in threat-con Charlie. Our troops that worked on the opposite base were bused to and from the bases. Our cars were searched every single time we went through the gates. We did have a few incidents but they were small and handled quickly. About 2 1/2 months after the attacks Dale was deployed in support of the war on terror. Slowly, but eventually, life became normal again, but never really the same.
September 11th, 2011
It's been 10 years. It still feels like yesterday. We are still at war in both Afghanistan and Iraq. The kids I teach have never know a world without war. A world were their parents aren't gone way too much. Dale is getting ready to deploy for the 6th time. At this point I don't know how I feel about all that has come to pass. Lots of feelings and opinions but not sure they all fit together clearly. Take today, it's the start of football season. One of my favorite days of the year, but I'm conflicted between being excited for that and feeling that's wrong when our hearts are so heavy as we remember the lost. For weeks 9/11 footage has been replayed around the news and web. Today the completed WTC memorial finally opens for the public. First to the loved ones of those lost 10 years ago. From what I have seen it is wonderful. I hope someday to see it in person. This morning we attended church, came home for the game then we are headed to the Healing Fields in Sandy and finally to the state fair for military appreciation day.
Not all is well today, though. The Taliban commemorated this day of healing by attacking an American post in Afghanistan, wounding 77 troops and killing 5 Afghans, and 17 civilians. I know people were fearing another attack today and our security has be heightened beyond anything before, protecting us all here. They just had to do something somewhere to ruin things. Jerks. Tomorrow is going to be a hard day going back to work. I starting to feel it can't be normal again. Hopefully that doesn't last long.
September 11th, 2011
It's been 10 years. It still feels like yesterday. We are still at war in both Afghanistan and Iraq. The kids I teach have never know a world without war. A world were their parents aren't gone way too much. Dale is getting ready to deploy for the 6th time. At this point I don't know how I feel about all that has come to pass. Lots of feelings and opinions but not sure they all fit together clearly. Take today, it's the start of football season. One of my favorite days of the year, but I'm conflicted between being excited for that and feeling that's wrong when our hearts are so heavy as we remember the lost. For weeks 9/11 footage has been replayed around the news and web. Today the completed WTC memorial finally opens for the public. First to the loved ones of those lost 10 years ago. From what I have seen it is wonderful. I hope someday to see it in person. This morning we attended church, came home for the game then we are headed to the Healing Fields in Sandy and finally to the state fair for military appreciation day.
Not all is well today, though. The Taliban commemorated this day of healing by attacking an American post in Afghanistan, wounding 77 troops and killing 5 Afghans, and 17 civilians. I know people were fearing another attack today and our security has be heightened beyond anything before, protecting us all here. They just had to do something somewhere to ruin things. Jerks. Tomorrow is going to be a hard day going back to work. I starting to feel it can't be normal again. Hopefully that doesn't last long.
