Kevan said:
We were living in Long Beach, NY on 9/11.
I will *NEVER* forget that day.
Ever.
I'll never forget watching CNN as a desperate man called the network trying to get the fire doors open on his floor so he and the others trapped could get out of the building.
I'll never forget the smell.
I'll never forget the fires that burned at Ground Zero for more than 100 days.
I'll never forget watching the smoke rise from Manhattan in the weeks that followed.
I'll never forget the resolve of the people of NYC.
I'll never forget the kindness of the people of the United States.
I'll never forget the F-16's flying overhead that morning, or the gigantic aircraft carrier floating a mile in front of my house a few days later.
I'll never forget the flat-out bravery of those on Flight 93.
I'll never forget those that stood (and stand) by our side as we hunt down those responsible.
[Yes- it's a hunt. Like what you do with animals. Because that's what we're dealing with.]
I'll never forget about those that had their lives taken that day.
I'll never forget about those who have given their lives since that day.
I will NEVER forget this day either Kevan....as I was on the Flight Deck of that "gigantic aircraft carrier" doing what OUR Country asked me to do.
I have told this story a few times...but I love to tell it because this was the day I went from being a kid in the Navy to being a Man that wanted to do what he could to ensure he did his part.
---I was working the Night shift which was the 1900 to 0700 shift. We had actually cut out a little early so I got home, pounded a beer or two and went to sleep.
My wife worked for a Military Related Financial Place some of you might know called USPA and IRA and was at work that morning. Just after the first plane hit the first tower she called, telling me what happened. I told her I didnt even know what the "Twin Towers" were and thanks for waking me up.
Then a little bit later I got another call from my wife telling me that the second tower was just hit. Now that was just weird....So I got up and turned on the TV just before the Pentagon was hit. OH MY GOD...I said to myself. So I called work. I was told to pack my seabag and stand by for further instructions. Well....I did what any other Sailor would do...I went to the fridge, cracked open a cold one and started packing my bags.
I sat and watched that day as the world seemed to stop and wondered what would I be doing next....that night at 0330 I drove on base (one of the few allowed on) and began preparing our H-60's for deployment. We flew out to the USS George Washington on September 12th which was already in New York Harbor and began Operations immediately. I remember seeing the smoke. I remember watching the TV. I remember the Agony on all of those peoples faces.
And I still remember why I am in the United States Navy doing what I do. If you look closely at my avatar, you will see that I chose a job few can do. And I make an impact on this war on terror. And I do it because of September 11th, 2001.
The day that I will never forget....the day that innocent people died for Radicalism.
GOD BLESS THE USA!!!:rock: