The Darkest Day

Today started as many workdays had begun in the past. Although I hadn't slept well and the traffic on the Grand Central Parkway was heavier then usual, it wouldn't take long before this day would change my life, the lives of thousands of others, and the life of a nation.
At the ripe young age of 46, I am a school teacher, a parent, a husband, a US Navy Veteran with an above average streak of patriotism, as well as a lover of American history and of our National emblem Our Flag. I've had the opportunity to witness many events that I will remember as long as I will live. I was in 3rd grade and being made to stay after school when JFK was assassinated. The summer of 1969 brought us Neil Armstrong landing on the moon and Woodstock. Vietnam was everywhere as were the protests against that war. I also recall being at a party the night the fire aboard Apollo 1 took the lives of 3 astronauts. In 1983 I was working at AHRC when the space shuttle Challenger exploded. We watched the replays over and over in the video control room. I was on my way to get a haircut when the Oklahoma City bombing took place.

Personally, my saddest day was the day my father died when I was a Senior in High School. If I were to look 180 degrees from sadness, the day my son was born was my happiest; someplace in between sits my proudest day as the day I graduated from College (that only took 9 years). The day I crossed the equator and went from being a Pollywog turning into a Shellback is also another of those wonderful things I won't forget.

Today was special but what is left for me to remember will be the most ghastly event ever. Today, terrorists attacked the Cities of a country I love. They attacked the city that I live in killing and injuring an untold amount of innocent people. It was my brothers birthday, but it will never be the same; fortunately he'll be here to continue to celebrate more in the future unlike many of today's victims.

I recall the view of those majestic Twin Towers from the base of the Statue of Liberty on a cool clear October afternoon with a bright blue sky and large puffy clouds surrounding them. That wonderful image now must share space in my memory with it's tragic twin brother of those great buildings crumbling to the ground in a puff of smoke and tumbling rubble. Along with the hopes, futures, and love of so many innocent teachers, veterans, parents, and children who started today as if it would be just another ordinary workday.




Mark Reiman