It Began as a Clear and Beautiful Morning.

I can remember driving to work on September 11, 2001 and thinking how beautiful and clear the sky was that morning. It was unusual for me to observe this, since I’m like many other people that can often miss the beauty in all of the small details – but for some reason I noticed it that morning.

I’m sure that many other people living along the East Coast of the United States felt the same way, as it was a particularly clear and beautiful morning from Maine to Florida.

Later that morning I remember wondering if it made sense for me to go home to be with my wife and infant daughter after the Pentagon was hit. Many of us felt that way as we crowded around a small portable television that a colleague had. We watched the television back in the warehouse area, pacing and speculating. The Internet was not accessible that morning and reception was not so great on the television. Would it make sense for us to go home in anticipation of what may happen next?

I remember watching my three-year-old daughter as she drifted off to sleep – oblivious to what was going on. I’m sure that many other parents watched their children closely that night and counted their blessings, as children count sheep quickly at first and then slower as time passes.

As my wife and I drifted off to sleep I wondered what the morning would bring. Would there be more attacks? What could I do to prepare my family and fight for the survival of my community and country?

I remember trying to comprehend how nearly 3,000 civilians could have possibly perished that day. Yes, the attack took part on American soil, but this was an attack against the world as lives from ninety countries were lost that day. The sorrow was felt across the globe and losses are remembered on every continent today.

I remember that pride I felt as the best and brightest that the United States has to offer were readying themselves to go off to Afghanistan. I’m sure others around the globe felt the same pride as their best and brightest also prepared.

The flags flew high during those days and we banded together to combat a common enemy, as well as our own internal fears. We, the entire world, were in this fight together.

Time has passed, and we go back to our daily business. Flags do not fly as often or as high as they should. I guess that it’s a symptom of normalcy. It does not seem possible that we could forget – but normalcy does come.

So much to remember as we reflect on another 9/11 anniversary.

We owe it to so many people in and out of uniform to remember.

Let us never forget.