9/11 - 2001

10 years ago in late August, I went to the Salt Lake International Airport to see my Mom during a lay over. She flew in from Twin Falls and was heading to Seattle, where I would be going in a few days. For some reason, I felt I needed to be there. We chatted a bit as we sat near the gate and I left before her flight was called. It wasn't until two or three weeks later that I realized why I felt the urgency to visit her at the airport.**
On September 11th, I woke up and did the usual. Drank my orange juice, got dressed and went to the Cottonwood Mall to get my walk in before work. It was looking to be a nice September day. As I made my last walk thru the food court, the TV was broadcasting "Breaking News". I really didn't think much of it, because it seemed as if there was always "Breaking News" on CNN. I remember one of retirees, a regular mall walker, saying something about the current broadcast. But what was happening didn't hit me until I was driving to work. As usual, I had my radio tuned in B98.7fm and Brady and (can't remember his name) were talking about the planes attacking the Twin Towers in New York. When I got to work, I found out that a plane had also flown into the Pentagon. There was no way I would be able to hide in my selfish little world with this; the tragedy was too big to ignore.

Throughout the morning I listened to B98.7 as Brady and her co-anchor kept us informed. They stayed on the air for most of the day informing us of the events as they unfolded; when South and North towers collapsed, Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania and even when tower 7 collapsed. During lunch, CNN kept me and my friends informed. Kristen and I emailed each other during the day, sharing our thoughts and keeping each other informed. Needless to say, I didn't get much work done, but neither did anyone else. Blue Cross granted those who had children permission to leave for the day to pick up their children from school. I think Peggy was the only one from our department who left early, maybe Dawn left early too.
During the day, I kept thinking I knew of someone who perished at the towers. My cousin, Chris Boice was a pilot for American Airlines, so that might have been the reason for that feeling. When I talked to my mom that night, she informed me that Chris was in St. George with his parents. He either had a day off or was vacation. I was grateful he was okay, but I still could not shake the feeling that there was someone I knew.
A few days later, my sister Mary told me that my niece, Tracie lost a friend in New York. Eugene was a New York Firefighter who responded to the call of duty after his shift was over. Tracie and Eugene met in New York while she was a nanny. He followed her Portland while he waited for an opening in New York Fire Department. Eugene got the call; he left right away from Oregon. Tracie met Chris (not my cousin) and both started a family. I made an braided ankle bracelet of yard. I wore it for Eugene; the only time I would take it off was when I showered. It went to work, bed, walking, shopping, and even St. George with me. When Eugene's body was found, then I would remove it. I had heard that when a police officer or firefighter's body was found, a moment of silence occurred after an American flag was draped over his body. I never did receive word if or when his body was found, but I took it off in mid December. Somehow I sensed there was a closure and I pasted the bracelet in my journal. Eugene was at peace and we as citizens will always remember him and the others who vanished that September morning.

I read about this pin in The Salt Lake Tribune, bought it at the Olympic Store in Cottonwood Mall. I ordered this pin from Salt Lake Olympic Committee website. I received this on September 11, 2002. Regence Blue Cross Blue Shield of Utah. As we came in the door, each employee was given a pin. This statue honoring Firefighters who died September 11, 2001 is at the Belmont Firehouse in Portland OR area. Tracie, my niece was a part of the effort to create this memorial that was unveiled in 2005.

**After 9-11 attacks, security at the airport got tighter. Before 9-11, family and friends could meet with passengers at the gate. Now only people with tickets are allowed beyond the security check point.