Sept 11th – We Were There

Tim & I have a win/win system when we get away. We both know the routine. He gets up early to take in the hotel breakfast and read the paper. I sleep in and enjoy a slow morning, all-alone. He brings me coffee – just the way I like it. {I know, I’m spoiled}

September 11, 2011 began according to script. That is until Tim bolted into our room announcing the World Trade Center had been struck. “Turn the TV on!” I struggled to focus – hadn’t had my morning coffee yet – tried to remember where the Twin Towers were – oh yea – New York. ‘This was an accident, right?’

Standing in front of the TV with my hair in a towel – I was in a time-warp. Smoke from the buildings billowed across the horizon. We all remember the scenes … announcers scrambling, cameras shaking and in an unbelievable instant, the South Tower collapsed. Anchormen began  shouting – confusion. I absorbed this tragedy like most Americans – from a distance. The scenes from New York – looked like the end of the world. We heard about planes, OUR planes, passengers, high-jackers and tens of thousands speculated dead.

Tim returned to the lobby for more details. I watched the news in a stupor – my mind hurt. Wrapping it around this trauma was impossible.

Tim came back with a solemn report. He announced, in his Chaplain’s voice, “The Pentagon has been hit!”

We had just seen this majestic building from the highway – yesterday. The Pentagon? Simultaneous attacks? What could be next?

‘Our kids!! They need to know we’re OK!’

Back in Texas, our kids were staying with 3 different families. We’d split them up. Our fears were relieved when our wise friends all assured us, ‘your younger kids know nothing about this’. They were protected from the trauma. We could breathe.

Updated news reports predicted more problems  - ‘The Washington Monument in smoke?’ ‘Car bomb in DC.’ ‘American Airlines passenger plane – missing?!’

Was The Capital the next target?

While sitting in our hotel room – talking this through with our friends – all four cell phones went dead at the same time. No signal.

In the lobby – a flurry of people were in line for the pay phone. We knew what to do – pray and walk. We all agreed. Pray! Walk toward the commotion.

Outside, we could see the smoke from the Pentagon. I wondered – ‘is there no safer place on the planet than the Pentagon?’ This whole ordeal was craziness.

People were everywhere – solemn and determined. Cars lined each road as far as the eye could see. Horns honked, blinkers told – people were leaving in mass. George Washington University students spilled out of the buildings with desperate faces and phones in hand. Everyone was going – somewhere.

We walked toward the Capital. Tim darted into a CVS to buy the last transistor radio they had on the shelf.  Held it to the ear and relayed to us, play by play the sketchy reports.

We prayed out loud. The thought of our nation’s heart being stabbed through brought vigilance out in every American. Our prayers joined the saints across the globe and the ones that have gone before.

Once reported the missing aircraft had crashed in Pennsylvania – imminent danger had subsided. But, we knew it would never really be over – we could not go back to yesterday. The horror this day had robbed our innocence and invaded the land of ALL our hearts.

A military presence was beginning to emerge on the streets of DC. Order descended upon this city of virtue and the atmosphere grew quieter by the moment.

Back at the hotel – the line for the payphone was a steady feed. We connected with David Barton – the pastoral couples still in town would meet in a hotel adjacent to the Capital – ASAP. Remember, we had come for a pastors prayer meeting and tour of the Capital!

Making our way to the historic hotel seemed prophetic. We gathered in the small room, sitting on the bed and chairs around – maybe 10-15 of us.  A Congressman from Kansas {don’t remember his name} addressed us. We were filled-in on the sketchy details that are now engraved in our nation’s history. Prayer was a privilege and to connect with the others – an honor.

Our prayer gathering was cut short when a press conference was announced. We filed out onto the sidewalk – the lawn of our nation’s Capital just across the way. We could faintly see the large group assembled along the porch-like area. They looked official. Members of the Congress and Senate – we were told. Cameras and news networks blocked our view.

In our midst – all was a buzz with a flurry of activity.

Above us – the sky was empty.

In the moments that followed – history was made. A fresh breeze waffled across the street carrying an all familiar tune. Words that touched the heavens. It took a moment for our minds to shift gear – so much had happened – we had no frame of reference.

In this moment – time stood still. Our nations leaders were singing – all together – as one.

“God bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her, through the night with the light from above.”

To be continued …

Where were YOU on 9-11? I would love to hear your story!