Remembering 9/11 as a veteran

[SpcZil]

I was in the Army when 9/11 happened.

I remember driving to work that morning after PT and hearing about the first tower being hit by a plane on the Bob and Sheri radio show.  My first thought was, "Oh my God, how on earth did that happen?"  As I was sitting there in my car, stunned, they announced that the second tower had been hit as well.  Of course, at that moment there was no doubt it was no accident.

For the rest of the day, work came to a stop.  The television was wheeled out, hooked up to cable, as me and all my fellow soldiers watched in horror as the rest of the day unfolded.  I'd be willing to wager they were thinking exactly what I was:  "How soon do we leave to help deal with this?"

We didn't.  Instead, we helped train several National Guard soldiers who left for Afghanistan.  I remember thinking, as I looked a these people whose lives had been completely overturned, that I felt so bad for them.  Here we were, full-time soldiers, training folks with day jobs to go and take care of business.  I know that plenty of regular military went as well, but I wished I could have done more.

 

 

[realtorshelly]

Sep. 11, 2008 at 11:15 AM

We all wished we could have done more. Thank you for serving this great nation.

[SpcZil]

Sep. 27, 2008 at 7:20 PM

You're very, very welcome.  Most days, I wish I still did.  Three years was just not long enough.

(Original Poster)