9/11/2024
9/11 reflections
23 years ago. Its hard to believe its been that long. I was actually sitting in Politics of the Middle East class when the department secretary burst into the classroom and told the professor and us that a plane had flown into the World Trade Center. I rushed to the University Center where I met my best friend and we clutched each other in shock and disbelief as we watched the events unfold on TV. My life changed drastically that day. As an Army brat, I knew in my gut that we were under attack and having spent time as a kid and young adult in the Middle East I knew from whom. Once the phones came back up, both my dad and grandfather called me and not so subtly threatened to kick my ass if I dropped out of college to join the military as I was already committing to in my head. I finished college and enlisted in the Army in 2003. My entire 19 year career in the Army was spent preparing for combat or in combat. I got married, had two children, got divorced, and got remarried again. I lost brothers and sisters on the battlefield, in training accidents, and started to lose them at home by their own hand too. I developed a very nasty coping mechanism of drinking to numb my emotions. I may have months and months of sobriety time now, but I still fucking hurt.
Today I remember the victims of those deadly attacks, the courage of the passengers on United 93, the strength of our nation to put aside politics and band together to heal and bring justice to the perpetrators of those attacks. I remember the first responders who saved survivors and recovered the dead, law enforcement professionals who patrolled our streets keeping us safe in those very uncertain hours and days after the attacks, and my brothers and sisters in arms who answered our nations call and gave the ultimate sacrifice. A lot of us that spent time doing what our nation asked us to do left body parts, shed blood, and left parts of our souls on the battlefields. I admit I dealt with the chaos and death in a manner which harmed my family and myself. However, today I am thankful that I still live in the greatest nation on earth and thankful that today I don’t have to drink to numb the pain. I honor and remember 9/11 and the ramifications, sacrifice, and courage with my sobriety and by being of service to others who are suffering.
