on september 11, 2001

 

i was living in Philadelphia, PA.  i had been there for a little over a month and was a bike messenger for Rapid Delivery.  i remember vividly that i was dropping off a document at the commonwealth court when i was told, "get ready to go to war, son.  we've been attacked!"  that was around 9:30, after both planes had hit the world trade center, but before they had fallen down.  i was shocked, but didn't really understand until i went into a bar just down the street.  cnn was on the tv's, of course.  and then the first tower fell.

 

i seriously considered jumping into the military right then, but i didn't.  i kept on considering it - thought it was my duty - thought i should do my part.  for honor, for valor, for pride in my country - for all of that.  and because i didn't know what else to do.  nothing else really seemed to matter.  i wanted to contribute to something larger than life in the same way that previous generations had in the past 'great wars'.

 

 

on september 11, 2002

 

i was at sea onboard the USS Higgins, DDG 76.  We were off the coast of california just cruising around in circles.  i was part of a SOVT (System Operational Verification Test) team testing an EHF communication system.  there was a memorial service in the morning, but i didn't even get up for it - i just slept in my bunk.

 

i guess i ended up joining the military after all - just as a navy civilian.

 

 

 

 

on september 11, 2006

 

i got my first 2 of 7 root canals...  :-p