In Memoriam

You don't need me to remind you of today's date and what it signifies, but seven years ago today our generation was defined. We will always remember where we were at 8:53 a.m. on September 11th, 2001 as the cameras turned on and the North Tower of the World Trade Center gripped for its life. We will always remember the minutes and hours to follow as one of the most terrifying days in our nation's history unwrapped before our eyes.

I was in high school in Orlando, FL when we heard the news. As my teacher turned on the television in our room, the South Tower was struck and our hearts stopped, stomachs dropped and our lives stood still. As a tragic accident turned into a deliberate attack, dismay, fear and confusion set over all thirty of us in that classroom and each and every American within this fine country and abroad.

You know as well as I how hard it is to put those feelings and memories into words. What made that day even harder for me was seeing the distant camera shot of smoke rising from the Washington, D.C. area. I am originally from Virginia and spent a large part of my youth growing up in Northern Virgina. My father, a retired Naval Captain with 34 years in the service, still lived in Alexandria, VA and worked for a defense contractor in Crystal City, VA. I had spoken to him the night before following the Monday Night Football game and he informed that he had a meeting at the Pentagon, his old stomping grounds, the following day.

It was nearly 3:00 p.m. on September 11th before I heard from my father. He couldn't talk long, but he let me know that he was fine and that I needed to buy as much gas as I could before the day ended. My father was a wise man and I did what he said.

I came to find out that he was in a meeting at his office that morning with his scheduled visit to the Pentagon to follow a little after noon that day. He told me that the first meeting of the day was excruciatingly boring and he was gazing out a window looking down onto Army Navy Drive in Crystal City. His office building was situated just south of the Pentagon on the other side of Interstate 395. He watched as the plane clipped light posts on the interstate and flew directly into what was once his office in the 'E' ring of the Pentagon. I was fortunate enough to have not lost anyone close, or even an acquaintance that day; my father and many others were not.

On this seventh anniversary of 9/11, let's remember those lost and those who continue to fight for our cause. Take care on this day and remember what is truly important in this life.

- J.C.F.