I still remember like it was yesterday… I was in room 435 with the patient in A bed when the patient on the other side of the curtain screamed, “Oh my God, we are under attack”. I remember turning to see what the hell was going on,and everything just sort of going into slow motion. A few other doctors, nurses and visitors had peeked their heads in as well as we watched a God awful scene on the television set.

The hair on my arms was standing straight up, my stomach was turning, I felt shear horror and I had tears rolling down my face. I had no clue, nor did the rest of the world, what was actually happening in front of my eyes. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any scarier… that second plane flew clear through that second World Trade building.

As we regrouped and had a small briefing at the hospital, as we were only 40 miles from our Nation’s capitol, all I could think was, “I just want to hold my daughter”. At the time our eldest was about 10 months old and my husband was working from home 2 days a week. He was at home with her on September the 11th, 2001. And I was 35 miles away… though it seemed like 100’s.

Then we heard all kinds of reports, “there were 5 planes missing, no 3 planes missing, and one is headed right for D.C.” Horror was the feeling. Being on a cardiac floor, we had to keep focus and keep on with our duties. Just imagine the fear that these patients with wires coming out of their chests that were serving as temporary pacemakers and the very ill, frail patients that could not walk if their lives depended on it felt. It was so damn scary.

I can remember looking around and seeing grown men with tears running down their faces and looks of hoplessness and fear. I can remember looking around at my fellow nurses, physicians and surgeons and thinking, “he looks like “them”, could he be part of this terror”?

I will never forget all the men, women and children that lost their lives that day, September 11th, 2001 to terrorists with nothing but rage, anger and hate inside of them! And I thank my lucky stars everyday that there are men and women out there that put their lives on the line to protect our freedoms while their families await their safe returns. I hope that today everyone takes a moment to reflect on what exactly took place that day in New York. I am so proud to live in the United States of America and do not take my freedom for granted. I have taught my kids why we wear our red, white and blue on this day and to always remember we live in the land of the free. God Bless the United States of America…

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