Like most Americans, I'll never forget that day. I remember exactly what I was doing, and how I felt when I heard the news. That day changed our lives drastically, although much less drastically than it changed many, many others' lives.
R joined the Army in January of 1998. We were newly married, with a brand new baby girl. We were having trouble making ends meet, and R decided the Army was the way to provide his new little family with a decent income and good health care. So off we went on our journey! After a few years in the Army, R decided he would make a career out of the Army, and if he was going to do that, he wanted the increased pay of being an officer. He got out of the Army, and went through ROTC to finish his degree. He would then enter the Army again as an officer upon graduation. Deployment wasn't even a tiny speck of a concern. The Army to us meant good money, good benefits, a good, honorable career for R. War never even crossed our minds.
On September 11, 2001, we were living in Arkansas while R finished his degree. I was 6 months into a "suprise" pregnancy. Until this day, we were anxious to return to active duty military life, with the benefits of a commissary and military healthcare. I was working full time, while R was going to college full time. I left R and T home that morning, and I left for work. He would take T to the babysitter later, and then go to class. On the way to work, I heard on the radio that a plane had hit one of the twin towers. I immediately called R and he turned on the TV to see if he could see anything about it. I heard on the radio when the 2nd plane hit, but R was at home watching it with our 4-yr old, T. She saw one of the most horrific acts of terrorism our country has ever seen...LIVE...at 4-years old!!
The rest of the morning was spent at work, watching the news and listening to all the details. The only thing I really felt when watching it was "numb". Then as more details came along, fear replaced the numbness.
I had a doctor's appointment that afternoon. Our scheduled ultrasound to see if we were having a boy or a girl. Suddenly this suprise pregnancy was very scary! But not because it was unplanned and we were unprepared...simply because we were scared of what kind of world we were bringing this baby into. I remember it being dark and gloomy at the doctor's office. It's like people were afraid to talk about it, but also afraid NOT to talk about it!! We went in for the ultrasound and found out we were bringing a baby GIRL into this new, scary world. We were so excited, but so scared at the same time!! We have ultrasound pictures dated 9/11/2001...a little picture of hope in a scary world!
In the months following 9/11, R graduated college and entered the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. We moved to MD, and then to TX. Then the real fear started...deployment became a word that we all feared, but didn't talk about. We saw people deploying, saw people coming home, and saw reports of those who didn't. Deployment became a reality for us and for so many of our friends.
Because of 9/11 we have endured 2 deployments. Our girls have endured over 2 years of their lives with their Daddy in a war zone. Our baby boy spent 15 months without a Daddy, beginning at 3 months old. I have spent countless hours praying and worrying about my husband's safety. We are so grateful that R returned safely home from both deployments...but we are all changed by it. No one goes there and comes back unchanged...no one! Whether its physically or mentally, everyone is changed by deployment...I know our family is.
But one thing that hasn't changed is our pride in our country! R is honored to serve this great country!! I was honored by the response of our people to 9/11. The sacrifices made, the effort put forth, the stories were endless!!
So no, we will never forget 9/11. I think it is important to remember 9/11 with our kids. It is a very important part of our country's history, and our family's history! And even though our kids go to military schools...it wasn't even mentioned today at A's school...no mention of what this day means. That is heartbreaking to me!! That is an absolute disgrace to all the people who lost their lives on that day, and in the battles since! A disgrace to the family members mourning people lost! So, even if the schools (military, no less!) don't think it is worth remembering...WE DO!!
