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Photo taken at the National Museum of Patriotism in Atlanta before it closed in 2010.
By Editor Becky Watts
September 11th of every year always brings a rush of memories to me.
Sadness. Anger. Worry. And a wry smile at a spark of sunlight in the midst of the pain. Where were you on September 11, 2001?
I was holding a newborn baby in my arms when the Twin Towers came down. I cradled him and watched the TV in horror as my unsuspecting toddler played. I remember listening to my husband talk to his battle buddy as the endless loop of news played on our TV. “Pack your bags,” he said, “because we are going to war.” They were worried about getting called to Atlanta as well because the threat was so huge that no one knew, at least at first, if there were going to be other coordinated attacks.
The call to go to Atlanta never came, but the call to pack his bags as a member of the Army Reserve did come. Not once, but twice.
He saw first hand the changes that were made when Americans put their feet on the ground in that country in both year long deployments and is proud of the good that was done for the Iraqis while we were there. And I won’t get into the politics of pulling out too soon--and the problem that has to be addressed now because politicians did not think long-term like South Korea and Japan and keep a presence in the country--other than to say that this does not take away from the sacrifices that were made for the Iraqi people by our soldiers and their families. Our military did what they were called to do. I honor those sacrifices. Today especially.
Two years, boots on the ground, comes to mind when I think of 9.11.01. Time that my family endured with my husband away at war. It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t fun, but we endured and have made up for it with family time ever since.
For those who weren’t given that opportunity because your loved ones didn’t come home, I pray for you today as you heal and remember even now.
I remember those who lost loved ones in the attack on the Twin Towers.
There were loved ones who went to daycare or to work that day and had no clue that it was going to be their last day. There were loved ones who reported for duty as law enforcement, fire, and other emergency personnel who had no idea that they would be called on to risk their lives to save others. And there were loved ones who helped with the clean up who have died from illness as a direct result of 9.11.
For all of these families who remember today, I pray for you as well.
I feel abundantly blessed that the baby I held in my arms that day is now 13, the toddler who played at my feet that day is now 15, and my husband who has served two tours of duty overseas as a reservist is now retired from the military. I am thankful for the opportunity to pray for those who are still grieving and pray for our country as well. Especially today.
Today and every September 11th, we remember.
Here is a link to last year's column: pikecountytimes.com/secondary/9.11.13.html.
Here is a link to the 2012 column: http://pikecountytimes.com/secondary/9.11.12.html.
Here is a link to the 2011 column: http://www.pikecountytimes.com/secondary/9.11.11.html.