There are some moments in history which will remain with us until the day we die. For me the events of September 11, 2001 top that list.
On March 1, 1992, after more than twenty years of active duty I retired from the US Navy. I felt then that I had done my share for Duty, Honor, and Country and it was time for me to move on.
On September 12, 2001 I would have gone back to active duty in a fraction of a nanosecond. For the first time since I was "Piped over the side" I regretted my choice to retire.
I, like many of my contemporaries, suffered from an insane delusion that I might have been able to make a difference if I had still been on active duty. I, and many others like me, felt guilty that I (we) was (were) no longer on the active duty roster of the US Navy (Armed Forces).
Today, I simply Grieve for the families of those lost on that horrible day.
And, I would like remind one and all that - despite any and all political differences - first and foremost today is a day to remember the tragic losses suffered by the families of so many of our fellow travelers aboard Starship Earth.
Gossamer, thank you for this thread.