09/11/2026
When I took this picture in 1996 I had no idea the impact these towers would have in my life on 09/11/2001. It’s a day I will never forget.
Standing at the desk at the entrance of the warehouse doing an inventory of gear from a recruit that was getting dropped when a drill instructor I knew came popped his head in asking, “Did you see what happened to the Towers?” I remember being confused so I asked my Staff Sergeant and he told me@to find a TV. I went to the tailors and they gave me an “old school”
TV with antennas. We plugged it in, turned it on and the second plane hit. I remember we all thought it was a scene from a movie. It felt like it wasn’t real life. Shortly after that the phone rang, Staff Sergeant said lock the warehouse up and be prepared to stay the night. From there it’s a bit of a blur because things happened so fast.
I remember having to talk to 3 recruits from NY a few days later so they could call home to check on family. A month later I was augmented to Military Police. Everything changed after 09/11/2001.
I see our country now and it makes me sad at how divided we are. I’d still fight and serve our country, it’s not about the people in a political office, it’s about my family and neighbors. Whether we agree or not, it’s about what this country stands for and what it’s always meant to me to be an American.
I still mourn the people lost, I mourn my brothers and sisters who sacrificed and for those veterans who fought for us. I hope we can get back to who we are meant to be as a country and not a divided people. United We Stand, but divided we fall.
