[honeychile]

I had just parked my car in front of my office when the news director came on the radio and said in a confused tone, "A plane just flew into the World Trade Center." I ran across the street; the tv was already on and we saw the second plane hit. My mama called my dad (who was golfing with my brother & sister-in-law), and we were talking about how I had lived at the foot of the WTC (John Street) while taking some training. Then the plane hit the Pentagon. My mama called my dad again, keeping him posted. They announced that a plane was flying almost out of control near Pittsburgh, and I said, "Dear Lord, can that be connected, too?" My mama called my dad, and this time, my brother took the phone & asked what was going on. My sister-in-law said words she will never live down, "Are you going to talk on the phone all day or golf?" Just then, they saw a large plane flying very low over them - Flight 93 crashed minutes later about 30 miles away from them, in Somerset.

My mama & I got on our knees to pray. For the people, the country, the President, the military, and all those who would forever be affected by this tragedy.

I had no power nor phones most of the day, and my fiance was beside himself. The national report had just said "South of Pittsburgh" and that's where I (currently) live. He finally got through around midnight, and just sighed with relief - but he had the best word for the day: surreal.

I had been in DC just days before, and making a long story short, was wearing a Chicago Fire (soccer) polo when a Fairfax fireman stopped me, thinking I was a fireman's wife. Since some some alecks around us were giggling over his mistaking the MLS shirt of a firefighter's shirt, I ignored them, and refused to embarrass this kind man. We talked, and as we went our separate ways, he said, "You take care of your man - we all need our families' support & love." Three days later, on 9/12, I saw him as part of the Pentagon footage - exhausted, tears streaming down his face through the soot as he took a much needed break. I lost it at that point.

On a side note, I wrote to my English friend that night, pouring my soul out to her, my views, my fears, etc. My house is in the military flight pattern, and the only planes I heard all day were the planes headed towards Washington.

Tomorrow morning, 9/11/2003, I will fly my flag at half-mast. It is my sincere hope that Americans will forever see this day as our Wake Up Call, and will never forget that, as mighty as the United States truly is, we must always be diligent in maintaining our security.

God Bless the USA!