Do you remember what you were doing that morning of September 11, 2001 and how it affected you?
"September 11th, 2001; Tuesday morning.
HERE I AM, in Tyler, TX (1604 miles from World Financial, New York, NY): I had just returned to my apartment after sponsoring a promotional breakfast at a nearby medical clinic (ETMC – South Broadway). I was unloading my car of uneaten food and supplies. I noticed on my TV stand, there sat a Straw Hat that belonged to a friend of mine. As a bartender, he worked very late hours, and I thought, the friend that I am, I’d call him and wake him up, just to let him know that I still had his hat. As trivial as this 10:00 AM phone call seemed to be, my friend, already awake, asked me if I’d seen or heard what was going on in New York City. Understandably, I had no idea, and he suggested I turn on my TV. He began to explain that a plane had “crashed” into the World Trade Center, as a view of the smoking tower appeared on my screen. And then, I witnessed, in real-time, the second plane impact the second tower.
“Oh my God, ‘Wayne’, what the hell is going on?”
“I don’t know.”
Turning speechless, we both continued to watch, still holding our phones to our ears. It was 10:03 AM in Texas, and something had occurred that would affect all our lives in a way that we did not even realize at that point. Wayne and I hung up, I loosened my tie, took a seat on the front edge of my rocker recliner, and watched as the events unraveled, and further reports flowed in. I quickly surmised, that because TWO planes hit BOTH towers, that it was not an accident. Some form of an enemy had attacked America’s people, including many civilians and children. Then, the Pentagon reports started filtering in. I quickly surfed through other channels, trying to capture information as soon as I possibly could. They had attacked our military. Finally, the crash-site in Pennsylvania was announced. I wondered what else would happen. For 3 days, I remained “glued” to my TV, intently listening to Peter Jennings as he valiantly attempted to convey this disaster, to the World.
I just reached my first year of tenure with Janssen Pharmaceutica, a division of Johnson & Johnson, and my second year in the pharmaceutical sales industry. I have been “out” of the active duty US Army for merely 728 days – where, at Ft Hood, TX, fellow soldiers and I trained as warriors, prepared to defend our country, awaiting the President’s call. The National Training Center had trained us well, on more than one occasion. As members of the hallowed 1st Cavalry Division, we were honed, hardened, and anxious to defeat an enemy anywhere in the world.
Although the thought often crossed my mind following my active duty service, I had not vigorously pursued the Army Reserve or National Guard. I was “glad” to be “out”.
Now, alone in Tyler, TX,
HERE I AM, sitting in the living room of my first floor apartment, in a coatless suit, with a loosened tie, straining to grasp what had just happened to my country, OUR country. I felt helpless, as many people did. Presuming an enemy had attacked this country, the only thing I could immediately action, was flying the flag. Regrettably, I had to dig it out of a box, from my move two years prior; but proudly hung it outside my apartment for all to see. I felt “stronger”, as it reminded me of my allegiance and devotion. As the days and weeks passed, I attempted to continue back to a way of life that I knew, but would never be able to return. One evening I thought,
HERE I AM, a trained soldier, sitting at home after a day of convincing doctors that my product is the best choice for their patients. I was wasting myself. Years ago, I had voluntarily sworn to serve and defend the country where I live, and now all I was doing, was living.
One rainy morning, outside a medical clinic in Palestine, TX, I dialed the number of the battalion XO of the 2nd Battalion, 381st Training Support, in the 95th Division. My pursuit of the Army Reserve, which I had neglected for two years, was beginning.
HERE I AM, within 4 short months, very early one Saturday morning, pulling on my BDU pants, lacing up my spit-shined boots, buttoning my BDU blouse, and preparing to drive to my new Reserve Unit in Grand Prairie, TX (117 miles away). I’m now in a training unit, and our mission is training other Reserve and National Guard units, as well as assisting those units, as they are activated in support of the “new” Global War on Terrorism, and preparing to deploy overseas in support of what was being called “Operation Enduring Freedom.” I felt quite suited to sharing my active duty experience with those, serving along side me, in the Reserves and National Guard. As fate would have it, my unit was included in those activated, and I soon found myself back on active duty. So,
HERE I AM, serving my country, in a slightly different, but not less-important, manner – which is what I was missing in those weeks following “9-11.”
It’s now the middle of August, 2003, and I’m trying, once again, to transition back into the civilian lifestyle and career that I first pursued four years ago. While mobilized, just four months prior, I met the love of my life, and her seemingly unlimited love and support for me, began. She has gained a position at a middle school in Tyler, teaching P.E. and coaching, while I am returning to my pharmaceutical career. As fate can be twisted, I am laid off from my job due to a merger, and we plan to move to Fort Worth – to be closer to my future in-laws.
I proposed to Bree on the most patriotic day of our year, the 4th of July, and she happily accepted (at Bree’s chagrin, I like to say, “It’s the day I lost my independence!”). It’s now Fall, and my fiancé quickly secures a new position, teaching Spanish, at another middle school, this time in Fort Worth.
HERE I AM, planning a wedding for April 30th, 2005, and seeking new employment, in a new, unfamiliar territory. One morning, while surfing the internet for real estate, as I had just recently secured a position with Ligand Pharmaceutical, I answer the ringing phone. LTC Vaughn, the Battalion Commander of my newest Reserve Unit in Shreveport, LA, where I have assumed the command of a Company, says, “Scotty, I’ve got some …news for you. You’ve been mobilized again, and this time it’s for Afghanistan.”
I’m surprised, to say the least. “Well, Sir, I’m planning a wedding, starting a new career, searching for a new home, and now this.”
He replies, “I know, I’m not sure what to tell you, but it’s not under a voluntary status. You have no choice. I’ll call you when we have more information.”
I’m no longer in the market for a new home. My online search immediately changes from real estate to Las Vegas Weddings!
It’s December 4th, 2004, I’m in my uniform again, but this time it’s a formal affair. Bree looks stunning! Friends and family are witnessing our wedding from within The MGM Grand Casino, and from their own living room, via the power of the internet.
“I do.”
“I do.”
“Honeymoon in Vegas!”
Two weeks later, once again, I’m proudly back in uniform.
September 11th, 2005; Sunday evening.
HERE I AM. It’s the fourth anniversary of that fateful day that changed our lives. At exactly 10:03 AM in Tyler, TX, the sun is setting at 1933 HRS over Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. The air is getting quite comfortable in late afternoon, and even cooler overnight. This is exactly the climate our “enemy” were experiencing at the moment our borders were attacked. I can only imagine our assailant’s receipt of the notification from their “contacts” that their deed had been accomplished, and the “damage” had been done.
What they failed to realize, at that very moment, was now, hundreds, no thousands of Americans with a newfound “burn” in their bellies, sparked from the destruction, and defenseless assault and murders from inside our “revered” borders, were now unifying, to “take the fight to the terrorists”, and make them appreciate that the American Spirit could not be shattered. The United States of America is “One Nation, Under God, (and) Indivisible…” – period.
Now, exactly 4 years, and 7,541 miles, from the front edge of that recliner in Tyler, TX - HERE I AM.
God Bless America!"
"September 11th, 2001; Tuesday morning.
HERE I AM, in Tyler, TX (1604 miles from World Financial, New York, NY): I had just returned to my apartment after sponsoring a promotional breakfast at a nearby medical clinic (ETMC – South Broadway). I was unloading my car of uneaten food and supplies. I noticed on my TV stand, there sat a Straw Hat that belonged to a friend of mine. As a bartender, he worked very late hours, and I thought, the friend that I am, I’d call him and wake him up, just to let him know that I still had his hat. As trivial as this 10:00 AM phone call seemed to be, my friend, already awake, asked me if I’d seen or heard what was going on in New York City. Understandably, I had no idea, and he suggested I turn on my TV. He began to explain that a plane had “crashed” into the World Trade Center, as a view of the smoking tower appeared on my screen. And then, I witnessed, in real-time, the second plane impact the second tower.
“Oh my God, ‘Wayne’, what the hell is going on?”
“I don’t know.”
Turning speechless, we both continued to watch, still holding our phones to our ears. It was 10:03 AM in Texas, and something had occurred that would affect all our lives in a way that we did not even realize at that point. Wayne and I hung up, I loosened my tie, took a seat on the front edge of my rocker recliner, and watched as the events unraveled, and further reports flowed in. I quickly surmised, that because TWO planes hit BOTH towers, that it was not an accident. Some form of an enemy had attacked America’s people, including many civilians and children. Then, the Pentagon reports started filtering in. I quickly surfed through other channels, trying to capture information as soon as I possibly could. They had attacked our military. Finally, the crash-site in Pennsylvania was announced. I wondered what else would happen. For 3 days, I remained “glued” to my TV, intently listening to Peter Jennings as he valiantly attempted to convey this disaster, to the World.
I just reached my first year of tenure with Janssen Pharmaceutica, a division of Johnson & Johnson, and my second year in the pharmaceutical sales industry. I have been “out” of the active duty US Army for merely 728 days – where, at Ft Hood, TX, fellow soldiers and I trained as warriors, prepared to defend our country, awaiting the President’s call. The National Training Center had trained us well, on more than one occasion. As members of the hallowed 1st Cavalry Division, we were honed, hardened, and anxious to defeat an enemy anywhere in the world.
Although the thought often crossed my mind following my active duty service, I had not vigorously pursued the Army Reserve or National Guard. I was “glad” to be “out”.
Now, alone in Tyler, TX,
HERE I AM, sitting in the living room of my first floor apartment, in a coatless suit, with a loosened tie, straining to grasp what had just happened to my country, OUR country. I felt helpless, as many people did. Presuming an enemy had attacked this country, the only thing I could immediately action, was flying the flag. Regrettably, I had to dig it out of a box, from my move two years prior; but proudly hung it outside my apartment for all to see. I felt “stronger”, as it reminded me of my allegiance and devotion. As the days and weeks passed, I attempted to continue back to a way of life that I knew, but would never be able to return. One evening I thought,
HERE I AM, a trained soldier, sitting at home after a day of convincing doctors that my product is the best choice for their patients. I was wasting myself. Years ago, I had voluntarily sworn to serve and defend the country where I live, and now all I was doing, was living.
One rainy morning, outside a medical clinic in Palestine, TX, I dialed the number of the battalion XO of the 2nd Battalion, 381st Training Support, in the 95th Division. My pursuit of the Army Reserve, which I had neglected for two years, was beginning.
HERE I AM, within 4 short months, very early one Saturday morning, pulling on my BDU pants, lacing up my spit-shined boots, buttoning my BDU blouse, and preparing to drive to my new Reserve Unit in Grand Prairie, TX (117 miles away). I’m now in a training unit, and our mission is training other Reserve and National Guard units, as well as assisting those units, as they are activated in support of the “new” Global War on Terrorism, and preparing to deploy overseas in support of what was being called “Operation Enduring Freedom.” I felt quite suited to sharing my active duty experience with those, serving along side me, in the Reserves and National Guard. As fate would have it, my unit was included in those activated, and I soon found myself back on active duty. So,
HERE I AM, serving my country, in a slightly different, but not less-important, manner – which is what I was missing in those weeks following “9-11.”
It’s now the middle of August, 2003, and I’m trying, once again, to transition back into the civilian lifestyle and career that I first pursued four years ago. While mobilized, just four months prior, I met the love of my life, and her seemingly unlimited love and support for me, began. She has gained a position at a middle school in Tyler, teaching P.E. and coaching, while I am returning to my pharmaceutical career. As fate can be twisted, I am laid off from my job due to a merger, and we plan to move to Fort Worth – to be closer to my future in-laws.
I proposed to Bree on the most patriotic day of our year, the 4th of July, and she happily accepted (at Bree’s chagrin, I like to say, “It’s the day I lost my independence!”). It’s now Fall, and my fiancé quickly secures a new position, teaching Spanish, at another middle school, this time in Fort Worth.
HERE I AM, planning a wedding for April 30th, 2005, and seeking new employment, in a new, unfamiliar territory. One morning, while surfing the internet for real estate, as I had just recently secured a position with Ligand Pharmaceutical, I answer the ringing phone. LTC Vaughn, the Battalion Commander of my newest Reserve Unit in Shreveport, LA, where I have assumed the command of a Company, says, “Scotty, I’ve got some …news for you. You’ve been mobilized again, and this time it’s for Afghanistan.”
I’m surprised, to say the least. “Well, Sir, I’m planning a wedding, starting a new career, searching for a new home, and now this.”
He replies, “I know, I’m not sure what to tell you, but it’s not under a voluntary status. You have no choice. I’ll call you when we have more information.”
I’m no longer in the market for a new home. My online search immediately changes from real estate to Las Vegas Weddings!
It’s December 4th, 2004, I’m in my uniform again, but this time it’s a formal affair. Bree looks stunning! Friends and family are witnessing our wedding from within The MGM Grand Casino, and from their own living room, via the power of the internet.
“I do.”
“I do.”
“Honeymoon in Vegas!”
Two weeks later, once again, I’m proudly back in uniform.
September 11th, 2005; Sunday evening.
HERE I AM. It’s the fourth anniversary of that fateful day that changed our lives. At exactly 10:03 AM in Tyler, TX, the sun is setting at 1933 HRS over Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. The air is getting quite comfortable in late afternoon, and even cooler overnight. This is exactly the climate our “enemy” were experiencing at the moment our borders were attacked. I can only imagine our assailant’s receipt of the notification from their “contacts” that their deed had been accomplished, and the “damage” had been done.
What they failed to realize, at that very moment, was now, hundreds, no thousands of Americans with a newfound “burn” in their bellies, sparked from the destruction, and defenseless assault and murders from inside our “revered” borders, were now unifying, to “take the fight to the terrorists”, and make them appreciate that the American Spirit could not be shattered. The United States of America is “One Nation, Under God, (and) Indivisible…” – period.
Now, exactly 4 years, and 7,541 miles, from the front edge of that recliner in Tyler, TX - HERE I AM.
God Bless America!"