Where were you when the world stopped turning.....

Fourteen years....It seems a lifetime ago but on this day every year my emotions get the better of me.  As I changed my photos on Facebook last night in remembrance I wondered why it still feels so fresh every year.  

This morning I thought about where I was, where I've been and where I am now.  I am not the only person in this country affected by the events of that day.  There's not a person alive that I think wasn't/isn't affected.

Fourteen years ago today, I was engaged to be married in one month, we had bought our first home, it was sparsely furnished and we both left that morning to jobs we loved.  It seemed, like everyone else starting their day, we had a beautiful future in front of us.  Don't misunderstand, very little changed for us, we were still married but there sure was uncertainty.  

At the time, I worked for American Eagle Airlines, American's regional and we were just settling in with our VP to listen to our morning briefing.  It was a normal morning of covering the day before operation, delays and the forecast for the current day.  Our facilitator wasn't too far along in his briefing when he let everyone know that there had been an incident in New York involving an airplane.  As any airline employee would do, we held our breath, prayed it wasn't us and prayed for the airline and people on board.

I had recently been trained as a CARE team member in the event our airline had an accident and when it was confirmed that it was indeed American, I immediately called to activate my status not knowing where they would send me or how long I would be gone.  My next call was to my soon to be husband to let him know that I basically didn't know anything but would keep him updated.  As the Lord does always, he was watching over me and I was sent to the Command Center to assist in assigning members to victims families, so I was staying local.  At this point we had no idea this was a terrorist attack.  It wasn't until our second airplane went down in Washington, D.C. that the full scope of what was happening came to light.  

The next week, I spent my days & evenings helping to send CARE team members to the families of the Flight Attendants lost.  I have read a lot of posts today about the unsung heroes and I could not agree more!   

When I decided I wanted to be a Flight Attendant at the very naive age of 19, I thought all it would entail was a smile at the airplane door and the ability to push a cart down the aisle and serve drinks to thirsty passengers.  Plus I dreamed of all the places I would travel.  Boy, did I learn a lot in the weeks of training I, along with 20 others were required to complete.  

On this day, I remember those Flight Attendants who I only knew by name.  I never met any of them but I know they did their job to the best of their abilities and for that I thank them.  While I had a wedding to look forward to and a future of wonderful unknowns that resulted in three beautiful children, job promotions for both my husband & I, 2 homes filled with love and laughter and the blessing to leave a job I loved dearly but felt that desire to be with my kids more; these beautiful, strong, courageous individuals said good bye to their loved ones that day not knowing it would be for the last time.  

So my friends, if you are reading this, I would ask that while airline travel has become a little more difficult, lines are long, airplanes are packed, there's little room for your carry-ons, please thank the individual at the door, greeting you with a smile and know that they will do everything to keep you safe.   

In remembrance of:

American Airlines Flight 11

Pilots
Captain John Ogonowski
First Officer Thomas McGuinness

Flight Attendants
Barbara “Bobbie” Arestegui
Jeffrey Collman
Sara Low
Karen Martin
Kathleen Nicosia
Betty Ong
Jean Roger
Dianne Snyder
Madeline Sweeney

American family members
Laurie Neira
Renee Newell

American Airlines Flight 77

Pilots
Captain Charles “Chic” Burlingame
First Officer David Charlebois

Flight Attendants
Michele Heidenberger
Jennifer Lewis
Kenneth Lewis
Renee May

American family members
M. J. Booth
Eddie Dillard
Captain Bud Flagg (Retired)
Dee Flagg

United Airlines Flight 175

Pilots
Captain Victor Saracini
First Officer Michael Horrocks

Flight Attendants
Robert Fangman
Amy Jarret
Amy King
Kathryn LaBorie
Alfred Marchand
Michael Tarrou
Alicia Titus

United Airlines Flight 93

Pilots
Captain Jason Dahl
First Officer LeRoy Homer

Flight Attendants
Lorraine Bay
Sandra Bradshaw
Wanda Green
CeeCee Lyles
Deborah Welsh