Remembering September 11th

I remember being in Arlington,VA that day for training in a small building near the courthouse.

I remember arriving a little late and other people in the training class talking about a plane crash in New York (the first plane).

I remember collective confusion after news of the second plane crash.

I remember chaos after hearing about the crash at the Pentagon about 4 miles from the training center.

I remember not being able to use my cell phone or even the hard line at the training center to call my family, including my sister in New York.

I remember being afraid to take the Metro home and hearing crazy reports of the next target (before hearing about Flight 93 in PA).

I remember getting home safely and the chill of seeing the crash footage over and over again, but being obsessed with the news on all channels.

I remember not being able to sleep that night and having nightmares about being on one of the planes.

I remember being emotionally drained.

I remember seeing American flag car stickers and “We will not forget” bumper stickers everywhere for months.

I remember the Anthrax scare a few weeks after September 11th.

I remember the plane crash in Queens,NY two months later that no one ever talks about.

I will always remember this day, our generation’s Pearl Harbor.