While queuing up to board United Airlines Flight #272 leaving Orlando for Chicago-O’Hare, my thoughts about what I needed to get done on the flight to Chicago, and whether I would be upgraded to first class, were interrupted by the gate attendant asking for everyone’s attention.

“Oh no...please don’t let this be a ‘delay’ announcement. I really need to make my connection,” I said to myself.

“Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please. Thank you. 

“Exactly 18 years ago at 9:46 AM Eastern Standard Time, a plane struck one of the World Trade Towers. Moments later, a second plane struck the other World Trade Tower. And in other parts of the country – at the Pentagon, and over the fields of Pennsylvania - two other planes carried out their destructive and evil-bent mission to kill and destroy. 

“Thousands of lives were lost in an instant, and countless other lives were lost whether in response to the disaster, or later, to the physical and mental diseases resulting from the events of 9/11. Wives, husbands, daughters, sons, grandfathers, grandmothers, nieces, nephews, cousins, co-workers and dear friends were lost forever in the events of 9/11. May we never forget them. May our tears never dry. 

“Let us take a moment of silence – to remember and honor the lives of those that were lost, and recall our resolve that this will never happen again.”

[Orlando International Airport Terminal B, Gate 42 is immersed in a moment of silence. And for the moment, we recall where we were 18 years ago as the skies darkened over New York City and thousands of souls were released from this life to the next. I recall the anger, the fear, the tears, and the call home that I was okay. I recall the prayers on that day and days since, seeking peace in the world and peace in my soul.]

A moment of silence at Gate #42.

Until Next Friday,

Photo by Axel Houmadi on Unsplash