Patriot Day

Nine years ago today, I was a senior in high school.  My sister was in seventh grade, and my mom taught third grade at that same school.  Like any other Tuesday, I had Mrs. Roberts' Government class first.  She lectured on how honored we are as a country to have the freedoms that we do.  Ironically, she ended class by playing a Brooks & Dunn song: "Only In America."  The time was just after 9:00, literally as the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center.

The bell rang and I went to second period Calculus, none of us having any idea the way that this day would change our lives.  Not ten minutes into class, another of the elementary teachers came into class, saying that mom needed to see me.

Long story short, my dad is a health care consultant.  For most of 2000-2002, his assignment was Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield.  He had flown to New York from Dallas that morning for a 9:00 meeting in the World Trade Center.  In the chaos of everything that went with that horrific day, we had no idea where he was.  He had checked in with mom as he boarded his early morning flight, saying that they had an on time departure and that he'd call again later in the day.  And he was supposed to be there in that tower, on the 97th floor right as the first plane hit.  Heck, Dad had been in New York so long that he kept his room at the Marriott in Building 5 over the weekends, just so he wouldn't have to check out and check in every week.  He should have been on the ground by 7:45, and he wouldn't answer his phone.

{ An antenna from atop the WTC.  Now on display at the Newseum in Washington, DC. }

Never before in my life have I been so thankful for a airline delay.  Dad's plane backed away from the gate in Dallas right after he spoke with my mom.  But, then they sat on the tarmac for nearly an hour before take-off.  So, when the attack on the WTC began, Dad's flight was on approach to LaGuardia.  They were diverted to several different airports before finally landing in Raleigh.  It was well into the afternoon before he was able to get in touch with us, and we are so unbelievably blessed that God kept him safe.

For thousands of others, though, that wasn't the case.  And my heart aches for their sacrifice.  The firemen, the rescue workers, and those just at work like any other day.  And even today, those who continue to fight for our freedom.  God bless America.  May we never forget.