That morning is etched in my memory forever. When I think of my story the tears begin to flow and the deep feeling of fear and vulnerability come back like it was happening all over again. But I never felt more proud and thankful to be an American and never felt more connected to my fellow Americans. To all of those that lost lives, loved ones and still experience the traumas of that day, I offer my loving prayers and hope that our country never goes through something like that ever again, but I have faith we have become stronger, more resilient and moved in a forward direction as all those that were taken from us would expect us to do.
I am a CPA. 9/11/2001, I was waiting for a client to come to my home to do a tax return. Turned on the TV & saw that the 1st tower had just been hit; then the 2nd. My client & I watched for hours until finally working on the tax return.
My Navy son was on an aircraft carrier; he was 20 years old. I knew his ship was leaving Mayport, FL for training. TV said an aircraft carrier was headed to New York. Told my wife that had to be his ship. I was right. I waited up until after midnight, knowing he would eventually call. Told me everyone was given permission to call family & tell them "I am fine but I MAY NOT be able to contact you for 6 months" because no one knew what would happen next. The ship guarded New York for 2 weeks, then a few weeks later they left for Iraq/Iran area for 6-7 months (as originally scheduled). He was over there 4 times in his 20 years of Navy service; almost all of it as a Yellow Shirt on the carrier flight deck. (Per reports, the SECOND most dangerous job in the world; second only to Oil Well Firemen.)
So proud of him and all the others who served and those who serve now! I still cry easily when I think of what happened and what so many people did to "help" others.
Thank you Paul & everyone @ ATG.
Don Nelson
PS - my son said they knew something had happened when their southbound ship made the sharpest U-turn possible at high speeds. The flight deck was really leaning to one side!
That morning is etched in my memory forever. When I think of my story the tears begin to flow and the deep feeling of fear and vulnerability come back like it was happening all over again. But I never felt more proud and thankful to be an American and never felt more connected to my fellow Americans. To all of those that lost lives, loved ones and still experience the traumas of that day, I offer my loving prayers and hope that our country never goes through something like that ever again, but I have faith we have become stronger, more resilient and moved in a forward direction as all those that were taken from us would expect us to do.
I am a proud Patriot of the USA!🇺🇸
Thanks for sharing your memories Paul!
I am a CPA. 9/11/2001, I was waiting for a client to come to my home to do a tax return. Turned on the TV & saw that the 1st tower had just been hit; then the 2nd. My client & I watched for hours until finally working on the tax return.
My Navy son was on an aircraft carrier; he was 20 years old. I knew his ship was leaving Mayport, FL for training. TV said an aircraft carrier was headed to New York. Told my wife that had to be his ship. I was right. I waited up until after midnight, knowing he would eventually call. Told me everyone was given permission to call family & tell them "I am fine but I MAY NOT be able to contact you for 6 months" because no one knew what would happen next. The ship guarded New York for 2 weeks, then a few weeks later they left for Iraq/Iran area for 6-7 months (as originally scheduled). He was over there 4 times in his 20 years of Navy service; almost all of it as a Yellow Shirt on the carrier flight deck. (Per reports, the SECOND most dangerous job in the world; second only to Oil Well Firemen.)
So proud of him and all the others who served and those who serve now! I still cry easily when I think of what happened and what so many people did to "help" others.
Thank you Paul & everyone @ ATG.
Don Nelson
PS - my son said they knew something had happened when their southbound ship made the sharpest U-turn possible at high speeds. The flight deck was really leaning to one side!
Hey, Donald! It's Dean from ATG, thank you for sharing this! It really means a lot to us!