We started the day in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, having returned from a week long vacation on the Florida panhandle with friends. We packed up early (around 5:00 AM) and left for our home in Murrysville, PA.
Somewhere around the Tennessee border, I heard the first report on the radio about a "small plane" hitting the World Trade Center. Most of my family was still sleeping. When I heard the second report, I woke them all up. As we continued north, the information started to solidify. Our oldest daughter, who was home at the time, called to tell us what she was hearing on the local radio and TV stations. At one point, we thought that all of the bridges and tunnels between where we were (probably Kentucky by then) and home would be closed. Fortunately, this never happened.
I remember how clear it was that day. From Alabama, all the way home to SW PA. I remember constantly looking up, and did not see the ever present contrails in the sky. It was clear that all planes had been grounded by then. It was very quite in the van for the entire trip, even with a wife and four daughters in the van. Everyone was riveted to the radio, trying to sort things out.
We pulled in to our driveway around 6:00 PM that evening. I remember telling everyone "don't turn on the TV until we unpack the van". Well, that didn't work of course. We turned on the TV, and for the first time that day, the amount of destruction that you could not imagine just listening to the radio came into our family room. We could not pull ourselves away from the images on TV. We cried, then I got mad, very mad. My "family protector" gene turned on, and has stayed on for the last five years.
I also remember how, for at least a few months afterward, the country was united. Do you remember how you treated others just after this tragedy? I do. Everyone was extremely nice to one another. People weren't honking their horns in frustration over a traffic jam, and were just being more courteous to each other. I wish we could be united in this way again, but without the event that cuased it. Everyone shared in this tragedy.
I remember wanting to drive to New York to help out, but realized I would probably just get in the way. So, I contributed financially as I could.
These are just some thoughts I wanted to get down. My way of remembering those who died, those who have suffered from their heroic rescue efforts since then, and also remembering who did this to our country and why. It does not matter which side of the political aisle you are on, if you are an American, there are those in this world who want you dead. Don't forget that!