September 11, 2001

September 11, 2001
Originally uploaded by Finiky.

This is the Washington Post, Dated September 12, 2001.

Like many I will still smell, see in my minds eye, feel September 11, 2001. It's been said before, it was a beautiful day. Clear blue skies, a small hint of fall in the air, no humidity. About as perfect as weather can be in Washington DC.

I learned of the hit to the World Trade Center(s) after arriving at work. I was shocked, stunned, confused, and like so many wondering what (in a larger sense) was going on. Later, the Pentagon was hit and we were told to evacuate. I did get a chance to call my Mother back before leaving, as she had left me a voicemail. Just by chance I was able to get through as most land line and cell phone circuits were busy.

I told her I would call her when I got home. What I have never told anyone, until now, was that I was not sure I would make it home.

Some of us left the building, 1 block from the US Capitol, to go home with co-worker who lived nearby.

That was between 10:10 and 10:30 AM that day. I later got home to Virginia at 2:30. The ride home on the metro was uneventful, except for the complete silence, except for the announcements of stations and the door opening/closing warnings.

Still imprinted: the darkness of the metro station at the Pentagon as it was shut down, but the subway train passed through that station, for several weeks you could smell the acrid smoke in the subway tunnel, from where the jet slammed into the side of the Pentagon.

For months, at night, usually around 11pm or so, you could hear the Combat Air Patrol Jets flying over. My heart would race and eventually I would relax. It still happens from time to time.

On the one year anniversary, on the way home from work, was a woman, dressed very smartly, sitting with a friend. Upon closer look, her face had been nearly burnt off and partially reconstructed. She had been at the service marking the anniversary. She was a survivor. It would be another year or so, again on the metro, at one of the stops most military workers exit -- a man in his BDU's (battle dress uniform) with obvious scarring on his arms and about his neck and face, was about the exit. Another passenger recognized his name. Aren't you the one that saved lives at the Pentagon?.. the answer yes. The male passenger jumped up and shook his hand and said Thank you and God Bless you. I tell these little stories as these are some of my personal memories of September 11, 2001. I was not as impacted personally as so many others were, many lost their lovers, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, and children.

I am honored to live among survivors and heroes from that day.