There are just a few times in our nation's history where our diverse population sets aside our differences in politics, religion and opinions to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, in a unified thought. Today marks the ten year anniversary of one of those moments. Everyone of us, old enough to remember, will pause today and reflect on what we were doing when we heard the news of that day a decade ago.
And then after you remember that specific second in time, your next thought will be about the rest of that day. Each of our experiences was personal and yet unifying. Today will be a day of reflection. We'll think about the heroes who emerged that day ... the men and women whose stories we were inspired by. One of those was Welles Crowther . I hope you will take a few minutes to listen to his story.
I was getting ready for work and just about to walk out the door when Matt Lauer was on the Today show talking about the plane that had hit the first tower and commenting about why. At that moment we were all still relatively naive in our belief that we were untouchable as a nation. I thought, how sad for all those involved and dismissed it as another depressing news story. Then I left and headed out to school.
It was alone in my car over the radio that I heard of the second plane and the terrorist connection. And time stood stood still. Our lives would never be the same again. I thought about how close we were to San Francisco and wondered if that large, iconic city would also be a target. I wondered how we would deal with questions from all the children at school. Would we even have school today?
But my first thought was for my family. Were they all safe? Our oldest son was in Pensacola, FL serving a mission for our church. Pensacola was a military town. The president of the United States was in Florida. Was my child safe? And I did what mothers and fathers all over the United States of America were doing... I prayed for my child's safety. I had an overwhelming sense of peace and knew in my heart that he would be okay. But I'm a mom, so I still worried.
Our world has changed much in these past ten years. I never grumble as I go through security at airports or other events. When I fly now I make it a point to strike up even a brief conversation with my seat mates. I look around at those I am flying with. I pay close attention to where the exits are in multistory buildings. I am more grateful than I ever was before to those who serve in the fire department, on the police force and in the military.
September 11th will forever be engraved on my heart and, much like Pearl Harbor was to my parents, I will never forget.
