NOTE: This post was written before our recent weather.

Although this morning’s news, and news from the last two weeks or so, has been filled with stories of Mother Nature’s fury, it is the 16th anniversary of 9-11, which needs to be acknowledged and remembered. However, I hope everyone with family and friends in the stricken areas has received news that all are safe and sound.

Today is one of those days that you never forget where you were when it happened.  I know exactly where I was. I was in my car on my seven minute commute to school. Back to School Night was that night and it was going to be a busy day.

My car radio was on and the announcer was covering some sort of news story. My first impression was that Israel had had a terrible attack. Then the World Trade Center was mentioned and I realized it wasn’t Israel, but New York that had had some kind of horrific accident.

Our classrooms all had TV sets so as soon as I arrived, I turned on the television, only to begin hearing about the Pentagon. The day, of course, was quite surreal and Back to School Night was rescheduled for another night.

I have not one, but two friends, with close connections to this day, and each, but for the grace of God, would have been additional victims.

The first worked in the Pentagon. There was a general who was killed in his office when American Airlines #77 hit the building. My friend was in that office talking to him 15 minutes beforehand. . . . . . .

My second friend is an engineer who traveled to Washington, DC with two colleagues on business. The three of them had reservations to return home that very day. However, the California Angels were in the playoffs and my friend had tickets to see the game so changed the flight and flew to California on Monday instead. Those colleagues are listed in the remembrance book in the Pentagon Chapel. They were on Flight #77. . . . .

Remember:
Freedom is not free.

A terrific way to support our servicemen and women is through donations to Operation Gratitude, which sends care packages to active military. Please consider a donation of wish list products, a financial donation, or, if you live in Southern California, volunteer your  time.

Operation Gratitude is a terrific organization, created in 2003, and, since that time, has shipped 1,600,000 care packages.