Day 50--Where were you?

If you ask me what I did last Tuesday, I would have to look at my calendar (and maybe my bank account.) I can't remember.  However, if you ask me what I was doing ten years ago, on Tuesday September 11, 2001.  I can remember BETTER than it was yesterday.

Everyone has a story.  So, here is mine.

Mike and I were living in a little apartment in Lawton, Oklahoma.  Mike was attending Officer Basic Course at Ft. Sill.  He had left early that morning because they were doing a field exercise.  I was 38 weeks pregnant with Adam.  I was still in bed a little before 8am when I got a call from one of the girls whose husband was in Mike's class.

She said, "Robin, a plane just flew into the World Trade Center."

I was still waking up and I didn't understand.  "What?" as I sat up in bed trying to process what that meant.

"Go turn on the news."  I climbed out of bed and turned the TV on.  We both sat in silence watching the news.  After a few minutes we watched breathlessly as they showed the second plane fly into the second tower.  Panic and worry washed over me.  I told my friend, "I have to go.  Call me if you hear from your husband.  I have to call my mom."

Then the Pentagon was attacked.

I wasn't able to talk to Mike until later that afternoon.  He rushed into our apartment and hugged me so tight.  We both wept.  We sat on the couch all evening watching the news, hoping for any new information and praying for the victims and survivors and families.  I was overwhelmed watching the NYFD and NYPD and the soldiers at the Pentagon.  True heroes.

Mike and I knew that OUR lives would never be the same.

Tonight, I thank the many men and women; soldiers, law enforcement, firefighters and the many un-named civilians who keep me and my family safe on a daily basis.

Francis Scott Key said it best in the 4th verse of The Star Spangled Banner.

O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation.
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust;”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!


Deployment survival tip #8--Feel free to cry during The Star Spangled Banner.  You are lucky enough to know one of those freemen who stand between their loved homes and the war's desolation.

July 13, 2004

November 8, 2008