Remembering

Operation Yellow Ribbon was Canada's response to the 9-11 attacks on the United States.  I will never forget that day.  It has lasting effects on my life as I think it did for most people.  The horrendous events that happened ten years ago today changed our thinking and our perception of the world.  It caused me to re-evaluate my life and make some major changes that would change my life forever...and they were for the better.

It was a beautiful sunny day in Vancouver as it is today.  I drove to work on my first day back after spending five days in Calgary training and in meetings.  I had just been on a plane two days earlier.  I couldn't have driven more than a mile when I heard the news on the radio that a plane had hit one of the twin towers.  As I drove to work the story began to unfold.  I was in shock of course.  I arrived at work to silence and confusion.  The internet wasn't really working and we were all scrambling for news.  Luckily I had a radio at my desk so I listened to that all morning with others huddled around at times.

Then the planes started coming.  Huge planes flying low...minutes apart...my office was in direct line with the largest runway at Vancouver International.  I will never forget the unending arrival of the planes.  And I will never forget two U.S. F-15s escorting an Air China 747 right over the parking lot.  Thirty-four planes were diverted to Vancouver.  239 were diverted to Canada in total.  The pilots had never flown into Vancouver before thus the low height of these planes.

I've been to New York City twice since then.  The first time was in 2008 and I remember the NY firemen fiercely guarding Ground Zero.  In 2009 I remember seeing the site being rebuilt and I remember all the children on field trips there. 

Always remember.  Be vigilant and never forget.

Ground Zero:  October 2009