9/11 Memories

Can it really be 7 years since our country's darkest day?

So many memories from that day are ingrained in my memory. Who could forget seeing a building as big as the World Trade Center collapsing? or the dusty aftermath? or the reports of people choosing to jump rather than wait for rescue? or the sound of silence after the buildings collapsed only pierced by the alarms indicating that firefighters were trapped?

I drove to work in Springfield, Illinois that day listening to an FM radio station reporting that a commuter plane crashed into the World Trade Center. A morning show prank, surely, planes just don't crash into big, tall buildings, right? However, I switched over to the AM station only to hear the same report.

I arrived downtown and proceeded to the 7th Floor of the Stratton Office Building. For those of you that don't know Springfield, the Stratton Building is probably one of the world's UGLIEST bulidings, but if you are lucky (or unlucky) to work in it, you might just have a GREAT view of the Capital Dome, which my office had. Walking in the front door of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules offices I knew immediately that people were aware of what was happening in New York. Many of my coworkers were gathered around a few small black and white TVs witnessing the darkness of that day.

One memory from that day is of Matt, the other Staff Attorney, walking out of our offices with his briefcase muttering "We're next. I'm getting the hell out of here." I remember thinking to myself - could the State Capital be next??? If so, what does that mean for the Stratton Building since it is RIGHT next to the Capital? No one really knew what was going on and shortly after Matt left, our Deputy Director received word we were to all leave. All state offices were evacuated due to security reasons.

I left and promptly picked up Emily from day care. I didn't know what was going on in the world, but I knew one thing - I wanted my little girl home with me where I could see her, hug her, touch her. Thankfully she's too young to remember that horrific day and has yet to ask about it.

Paul and I sat glued to the TV on that gorgeous September day in disbelief of the day's events. We marveled later that afternoon/night at how clear the sky was - no contrails from planes. That was so odd. We did see one plane though and surmised that it had to be connected to the government since all plane traffic ceased shortly after that morning's events.

A few months later, we visited New York City. Our trip to NYC was in the planning stages when 9/11 occured. While visiting, Paul and I, along with my brother Jeff and his wife Shawn, were treated to a great walking tour of many parts of the city courtesy of their friend Sheila, who was living and working in NYC. One place we "toured" was Sheila's local Police Precinct. Sheila lost her cell phone and needed to report it to the police. While there, we saw that the precinct had lost some staff in the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings. One of the officers lost was a police officer named Moira Smith. (http://www.odmp.org/officer/15818-police-officer-moira-smith). I remember looking at her picture and shortly after our NYC visit, we saw her 2 year old daughter and husband on the news receiving Moira Smith's posthumously awarded Medal of Honor. I think of Moira Smith and her daughter (who is roughly Emily's age) every 9/11. (Here is a link explaining how and why Moira Smith earned her Medal of Honor - ttp://www.moirasmith.com/ .) I wonder, if in the face of great adversity like Moira Smith, could I have stayed in my post not knowing what the outcome would be?

Before we left NYC that Sunday, we witnessed the ruins of the WTC. Incredible devastation in lower Manhattan. I'll never forget the smoking ruins (even 2+ months later), the pictures of the missing/lost, and the immense sadness at that site. Itwas surreal. and still feels that way 7 years later. I know I won't ever forget, will you?