My Grandma used to tell me of her memories of December 7th, 1941. Perhaps I will share her story here in December. My father used to share his story of November 22, 1963 (Assassination of John F. Kennedy).
Myself I have detailed flashbulb memories of December 8, 1980 (Murder of John Lennon)... January 28, 1986 (Space Shuttle Challenger disaster)... April 19, 1995 (Oklahoma City bombing)... and September 11, 2001.
On September 11, 2001 I recall the details burned into my memory; Where I was, What I was doing, Who I first heard the news from, How it affected me.
Where... In the cafeteria at our facility in Northbrook, Illinois.
What... Ordering an omelet for breakfast. With cheese and onions of course.
Who... Her name I did not know even though I had encountered her a hundred times before. Most did not care for her much as she had one of those annoying personalities. She was just the 'cafeteria lady' to many us. She came out from the backroom to the griddle and I was ready to blurt out my order so as to squash any attempt at small talk she might offer. But as she so often did she spoke over me. However instead of asking me how my weekend was, or suggesting I try the special, she asked me if I had heard about the airplane.
No, I told her No I had not, and honestly I didn't want her to tell me about airplanes or anything. But since she was in control of my food, I had to stand there & wait. She went on to tell me that a plane had flown into a building in New York. She didn't know anything more than that so she filled the time while my omelet cooked by asking me questions like, 'isn't that scary?', and, 'what kind of plane do you think it was?'... Getting an idea why she was considered annoying?
Food in hand I walked back to my cubical. Halfway through the walk something felt odd. Nobody was talking, nobody was huddled for the usual morning chats over coffee. It was dead silent. My cubical neighbors were glued to their pc monitors when I got back. Tom was trying to dial in his clock radio to a station, we never listened to it; it was there for time telling only.
Naturally I asked Tom & Dan what was up and they told me that a plane had flown into the world trade center. I joined them in trying to get the internet to give us details, but most news sites were pitifully slow do to the massive surge in traffic. Shortly we recalled that one of the conference rooms had a television and away we went. The rest of our work day was spent in there watching the tragedy unfold.
By around 3 p.m. I had enough. Time to go home and figure out how to explain this day to the kids.
How... I was pissed off, that is how I was affected. I was also frustrated, confused, anxious, embarrassed, hostile, worried, proud, to name a few other emotions I wrestled with. Like most Americans I was a twisted wreck of emotions for sometime after the attacks.
If I had to note just one change in me which I can attribute to 9/11 it would be a respect for names. In the weeks following the attacks we sat anxiously as the death toll was tabulated, victims were identified, heroes arose from the horror; they all had names. I found myself very interested in hearing their names, reading their names; not just lumping them all together in numbers, or counts. Respect, they deserved the respect of being remembered by name. A list of names of the victims from Sept. 11, 2001 can be found here.
Pre 9/11 if we were introduced I may not have committed your name to memory unless we were going to spend meaningful time together. If we were just casual acquaintances and we passed each other in the office complex hallways not only was it likely I had forgotten your name but I wouldn't have offered a courteous hello, or good morning, as we passed. I didn't have enough respect for your name to do so.
A couple of months after 9/11 it dawned on me that that respect, the respect of a persons name, should be given to everyone I meet. I work in an office complex where 1,700 people spend their days earning their keep. Hundreds others visit us daily in the form of vendors, consultants, etc.. Today when I am introduced to anyone, I commit their name to memory, I shake their hand even if I have to walk all the way around to the opposite end of one of our ridiculous 50 foot-long conference tables (exercise opportunity, right), and I respectfully say their name in my greeting to them, e.g. Good Morning Craig, Nice to meet you Jennifer, etc.
Post 9/11 if we pass each other no matter how casually were are acquainted, I acknowledge you and I do it by name. That may sound corny, or less than noteworthy. But a respect for names is what 9/11 changed profoundly in me.
Oh before I close here, the cafeteria ladies name is LENA LEVINSON.
Never Forget, Never!
Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!
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Good post Patrick. People do deserve to be remembered, think you just taught me a lesson, thanks.
ReplyDeleteI was in Rome, where DH was assigned to the US Embassy. He called and said, I can't talk now, but turn on the TV. I did and watched, with the world, as Italian news commentators tried to guess what was happening and kept showing those awful pictures over and over and over again. The Italian people, not prone to show interest in strangers, were so outgoing, kind, and empathetic to Americans in the following weeks. We returned to the US for a visit three months later and were astounded by all the American flags flying from car windows, overpasses, houses, and store fronts. I also remember JFK, RFK, MLK, Challenger, and Oklahoma. Flash Bulb Memory, indeed.
ReplyDeleteWe lived in Vegas at the time and it was rumored to be a target, based on it's hedonistic reputation. It is a small town and we were all freaked and so sad about the innocent lives lost.
ReplyDeleteNice post, Patrick.
Great post, Patrick. I was married to a firefighter when the tragedy occurred so I experienced it from that perspective. Heartwrenching to say the least.
ReplyDeleteI have similarly vivid memories. In my bedroom getting ready for work (out here on the west coast). As soon as I realized the magnitude, I called my dad, who was visiting my Granny in AZ. As we talked, it occurred to me that he hates flying under normal conditions and was scheduled to fly back home to the east coast. Amazing how quickly your sense of security and normalcy can disappear. But, of course, the many heroic and good natured stories that emerged later helped to restore faith in humanity.
ReplyDeleteI like the lesson you took away re: names.
A beautiful tribute Patrick! Yes, never forget but also never let them take away our ability to live in freedom!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
powerful post. love it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Patrick. I can also be terrible with names sometimes...never forget a face, but names...iyiyi.
ReplyDeleteI think the events of September 11th, 2001 are some of the most vivid memories I have ever had. I also will never forget when I came home from running errands and my husband had the tv on and told me what had happened. I felt the most profound sadness and anger. I cried so much that day, even though I am not American, it's like it was happening to my best friend.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Patrick.
Great tribute! I was at the bus stop and then on my way to work and unfortunately it was a heartwrenching experience. I can't believe it's been 9 years!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great post, never forget. Like you, I know exactly what I was doing and can recall all my emotions. 9/11 reinforced my feeling of calling for service to our country whether civil, volunteer, or military.
ReplyDeleteI also think it is important to remember people. I have been watching the History channel all evening and have learned even more about some of the people who were lost that day.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Patrick. I, like therightfit above, am not American, but that did not matter. You are are neighbours, our friends, people with feelings and families...I was, and still am, profoundly saddened by that day. My husband and I were going to get married in Vegas on November 11th. We cancelled our plans and got married at home instead.
ReplyDelete