Ten years ago, nineteen men attacked our nation with a cruelty unrivaled in American history. The unthinkable was broadcast on our televisions and radios: the World Trade Center and Pentagon buildings were under siege. We soon learned that terrorists had taken control of commercial airplanes as we watched in horror as the second tower was struck. In such a precise attack, we simultaneously saw the Pentagon go up in flames. In addition, brave passengers of a fourth hijacked airliner, United Flight 93, prevented another attack on the Washington, DC area when they overpowered the hijackers crashing the plane in a field.
My wife and I were both in downtown DC that day at work a mile from the Pentagon. After my building was evacuated, I walked down Constitution Avenue to find my wife. I vividly remember the billowing smoke and loud sirens which seemed to be coming from every direction. People had panicked looks and walked quickly in all directions. Visions of what it might have been like in London during WWII as the Germans bombed them entered my thoughts.
Once my wife and I were together, we evacuated into Maryland and then back into Virginia to our home. As we crossed the Woodrow Wilson bridge, we looked back up the Potomac River at a surreal scene of black smoke and flames still in the air over the Pentagon.
An hour later, my wife and I were safe. It was a beautiful day and the birds sang as we sat on our patio and ate a sandwich. We were both numb and in shock after what had just happened as we enjoyed lunch at home. Like millions of Americans, we retreated to the couch and watched what was going on via TV over the days ahead.
President Bush ordered all Federal employees back to work the next day to show that we were wounded but not down. Our 40 minute commute instantly became a 1 1/2 to 2 hours due to lane closures on I-95 around the Pentagon and all of the new security measures in affect. This lasted for months. The most memorable thing occurred a day after the crash while commuting to downtown DC. My wife and I observed a huge American flag being draped from the Pentagon roof by firefighters still trying to get the fire under control. We were awestruck and filled with inspiration everything would return to normal. However, this was not the case.
In the wake of that day, we prayed and became a nation once again. In our grief, we found strength and resolve to protect our way of life. Tomorrow, we honor the memory of our fellow citizens lost on that day. Our determination to not forget those lost to these attacks on our nation remains.
As we go about our lives tomorrow, let us honor those that lost their lives nine years ago. Let us be grateful there have been no other attacks. We pray attacks like the one we witnessed never happen again. We appreciate all the men and women everyday who go unrecognized to protect our freedoms. Most everyone will remember where they were that day. We will never forget.
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