It was sobering to get on a plane this morning. In both the Philadelphia airport and the Atlanta airport, televisions broadcast the anniversary remembrance of those who'd lost their lives during the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001. Young children intoned names; children of victims told of ten years without their loved ones. Musicians played somber music.
As I glanced at my fellow passengers, it was easy to see they were as moved as I was. Tears welled and spilled and I made no move to stop them. That day took away the innocence of so many.
On the final leg of my journey, the pilot spoke to us, reassuring us that today's flight would be routine, but his voice broke a bit too as he said, "we'll never forget."
It's true. I remember the exact moment I heard at work. We gathered in the conference room, watching, and then we were sent home for safety. At home, the TV came on again as the events replayed over and over like a nightmare onscreen.
If you'd like to share a remembrance about this day or the 2001 date, please feel free.
God bless all our heroes.
Maggie Toussaint
Maggie--I had wondered about those people who were flying today. Your post was thoughtful and moving. I'm sure everyone was affected--sounds like the pilot was.
ReplyDeleteI've watched some and it seems most forget the plane that went down in the field in Philadelphia. Even our pastor today, and the prayer was given about it, the towers and the pentagon were mentioned, but not a word about the PA crash. To me, that one showed the spirit of Americans to the nth degree, when the passengers took control, saying, "Let's roll." And they brought down the plane in a field. It
had been meant to the Capitol building, I think.
Celia
Hi Celia,
ReplyDeleteWe say time heals all wounds, but the wound seemed pretty raw today. I think as time goes by we all become better at hiding our wounds. I'm glad you mentioned the PA plane. Our pilot mentioned that one too.
I wonder if we'd thought about the significance of the date if that would have changed our travel arrangements when we made the reservation? Our flights were full, for what it's worth.
Thanks for stopping by. Maggie
Hi Maggie,
ReplyDeleteThe ten year anniversary of 9/11 was a tough day. I realized all that has changed since then, and the ways in which I have changed. I agree with you that "that day took away the innocence of so many."
Cathy
Hi Cathy,
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by. It is sobering to go through "security" to get on an airplane these days. Everything is checked. Shoes off. Jackets off. Scarves off. Hats off. Laptops out. Clunky jewelry off. Liguids in small containers and displayed for visual checking. Walking through a scanner. Xraying the bags, and sometimes opening them up to search again. Physical pat downs of people. Its enough to make you think about buying an RV.
Maggie
Maggie,
ReplyDelete911 was a terrible day for my family ten years ago as we came very close to losing my uncle and a cousin. Both worked at the Trade World Center.
Your post was thoughtful and moving. I'm sure everyone was affected--sounds like the pilot was.
ReplyDeleteRS Gold
Tera Gold