You've all heard the Alan Jackson song "Where were you". The chorus says "Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September Day"? Even though it was now 20 years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday.
I was a Sr. Registered Associate working for Smith Barney (I think that was their name at the time). We were in our normal morning meeting when the first tower was hit. Someone from our Auburn, NY office called to tell us what happened. We quickly logged in to the internet to see the second tower hit. My first phone call was to my mom who I knew was home to confirm what my eyes saw. Then I called my sister. Her son was home on leave from the USS Theodore Roosevelt. I wanted to know what was going to happen for him.
As internet was fairly new, my coworkers and I went to the a local restaurant to watch the news. Everyone was outside on the Ithaca Commons just dumbfounded. We knew it was bad but we didn't know what to do. I remember being fearful. Fearful for my nephew who had 24 hours to report back to the ship in Norfolk, VA. Fearful for my babies then just 3 and 10 months.
You see, I am the daughter of a US Air Force veteran and an immigrant from the UK. My dad was stationed in England during the Korean War and met my mom there. She moved to the US in the 60's and gained citizenship. They loved the USA! Both parents were members of the American Legion. Both were very patriotic. That is how I was raised. You stand for the flag and you honor it.
Back in World War II my Mom' house was bombed out. Luckily her family survived, but as a young girl my mom saw war. She often spoke about it and how lucky her family was. She would tell me about the air sirens and what they meant. Something few in little Candor, NY had ever experienced.
Now back to where were you when the world stopped turning that September Day? Take a moment to think about it. Think about September 12 when there was so much love for our country and little divide. It didn't matter your race, creed, religion, etc. We were in it together.
May peace be with you and yours this September day and as always God Bless America!!
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