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15 years seems like just yesterday

Fifteen years ago tomorrow.

Fifteen years since that fateful day that began in New York City, continued to Washington, D.C., and played out over a field in Pennsylvania.

Fifteen years since that day when the President of the United States was supposed to be in Florida reading to elementary students but ended up soon thereafter in a bunker in Nebraska.

Fifteen years since that morning that had all the look and feel of a warm autumn day, yet before it was over was painted red from the spilled blood, black from the thick smoke and gray from all the ash that covered the city.

Fifteen years ago that began for thousands just like any other day but ended in tears and heartbreak for their families and friends.

Fifteen years ago that I remember thinking, watching a live newsfeed as the second plane crashed into the tower, that the world would never, ever, be the same again.

Tick, tick, tick … the seconds marked the beginning of life post-Sept. 11. They tick on toward tomorrow – 15 years since that awful morning.

~X~X~X~X~

Over the years I’ve worked at newspapers when the news cycle of a major tragedy coincided with my shift. I remember gathering with co-workers watching replays of the Challenger explosion and thinking “My God, what had just happened.” I remember the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. But nothing compares to the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

I was downstairs working at my computer when I first learned there was something wrong – Associated Press sent out a quick news alert that there was a fire at one of the World Trade Center towers, and a possible explosion. As I monitored the Internet it quickly became apparent there was something much more than a fire. I called upstairs to the newsroom and told Lifestyles Editor Diane Speer to turn on the television.

I went upstairs to watch and shortly other staffers also began migrating upstairs, watching in disbelief at what was unfolding before out eyes.

Nothing had prepared any of us, however, to what we would witness next by viewing on television the second plane come crashing into the second tower. What had been disbelief now became frustration. What had been sadness now became anger. What had seemed a single terrorist plot now appeared like war against the country.

And, what had been a normal day had quickly become abnormal. Managing Editor Steve Murch was called and soon we were planning how to cover stories for our next day’s newspaper. All our reporters were called in early to work and each was given specific assignments to pursue and angles to develop for the Sept. 12 edition.

Long lines started forming at the gas stations and people were rushing to stores and gathering basic ingredients to stockpile. At the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center the facility was on high alert. Everywhere people were talking about the Towers.

And something else was quickly very evident that day. People actually were talking to each other, having eye-to-eye contact, listening and reacting. There was a softness in people’s voices, a compassion and patience where earlier there might have been apathy and agitation. People were treating each other like neighbors.

And the flags – oh those beautiful red, white and blue flags. The U.S. flag was on display everywhere. People were quick to display their flag and honor those who perished as well as the many heroes who were risking life and limb to aid those in distress.

~X~X~X~X~

Fifteen years ago tomorrow.

Isn’t is sad how such a tragedy brought together the country? Isn’t it even sadder that but a few years later that country had forgotten all the lessons it had learned?

Fifteen years ago tomorrow.

And yet, it seems like yesterday.

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