Five days away from 9/11. In some respects it was the most "monumental" moment in the history of our country. Just think of what that day caused to happen, in some ways in created a whole new way of life for many Americans, and those changes are still in effect, and probably always will be. We have never slept soundly since that day.
A year ago, I was at my Son Brad's wedding in New York. We had not met his fiance or any of her family. I was introduced to her Brother, and instantly liked, and was impressed with him. Later on we learned that he was a retired New York City Detective, even more impressive, and he had become a Detective after not too many years on the police force. He instantly went high on my list of "impressive" people.
Then, during a conversation after the ceremony, it came up that he was a responder on 9/11. He mentioned that the clothes he wore that day were still piled in his closet, they were untouched since he took them off. At that point, I was in awe of him, I was in the presence of ............. someone who was there. During my lifetime, I have had the occasion to meet a number of "famous" people, from all walks of life. Early on in my life, I met a Catholic Cardinal, on a flight to Charleston, S.C. I met J. Strom Thurman in Columbia, S.C. one day, Governor Grant Sawyer of Nevada, Harry James, Walt Disney, Henry J. Kaiser, Magic Johnson, some other Governors and "celebs."
But to meet someone who was "THERE," was a part of it, lived through it, first hand, put him on a higher level, he has all of my respect for all he did on "that day." .... December 7, 1941 was a historical day, and will always be remembered, but not remembered as 12/7. 9/11 will never have to be explained, and least not for many years. 12/7, 7/4, 12/25, all well known dates, but none of those conjure up the memories like 9/11, it opens layers and volumes of memories.
Gil, you will be in my thoughts this coming Sunday.
