September 11th memories

On this solemn anniversary we remember. We remember those who perished and those who survive. We remember why we were attacked and what we must do to defend oursleves. We also remember who really attacked us and resolve to find justice.

Let's also remember our personal recollections. Where you were when you heard of the attacks? What are your memories of that fateful day?

September 11, 2001 found me on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. I left that morning for the three hour drive to Hagerstown, Maryland. My Mother had moved there to live with my youngest sister and her family after she was no longer able to take care of herself. By 9/11 she was in an assisted living center and it was time to convince her of the necessity of taking the next step, a nursing home. I was on the all too familiar drive to Maryland, one I'd done countless times over the years.

That day I didn't travel my usual route up to Hamburg and down I-81. For some reason I took the turnpike west to Carlisle before hopping onto 81 south. I don't remember why, usually it was because I had to make an earlier errand or stop that made it easier to use the turnpike.

I almost always listen to NPR, WHYY, in my car. I did again that day until I lost the station around Lancaster. I then simply turned the radio off. When I pulled into the rest area at Lawn I noticed five or six people gathered around the television in the lobby with very serious looks on their faces. Something about their demeanor told me there was important news happening. I hit the men's room and returned to my car, this time scanning for a news station.

I found a station with Peter Jennings reciting what was happening. I couldn't believe my ears. It was such a beautiful day, especially in central Pennsylvania. As I traveled south on 81 Jennings told me the towers were falling. There were rumors of other planes hitting targets in D.C. I began scanning the sky above for rogue flights. After all I was headed for the area around Camp David and, well, who knew at that point?

I remember getting off to top off my gas tank. I was concerned about having enough fuel to return home that night. Not knowing what all was happening and what other terrorist plots might be unfolding I wasn't sure if gasoline sales might be restricted. As I continued south I began to see Pennsylvania State Police cruisers parked in the median about a mile apart. They were all faced west. They were there all the way to the Maryland line.

When I got to Hagerstown my Mom and my sister were in her room captivated by the pictures on television. This was the first I saw of the horrendous images that became etched into all our memories. Many residents of the home had children working at the Pentagon and there was much anxiety. We watched the coverage for several hours.

One of the reasons I'd driven three hours was to sort and dispense Mom's many medications for the next few weeks. Assisted living places only provide certain services and skilled nursing is limited which is why it was necessary to transfer Mom to a different facility so they could properly care for her. It was difficult getting Mom to turn off the tv long enough to discuss our options. Mom was also a news junkie, though a right wing one.

Another indelible image of 9/11 stays in my mind. On the drive home that night along I-81 northbound there was one of those huge message signs they use for amber alerts. It notified motorists that "New York City was closed until further notice." The thought that New York City would ever be completely closed was mind boggling. It was something I thought I'd only ever see in one of those Hollywood disaster movies. That night it was real.