I was at work in Middlesex, NJ. The group I worked in had just moved all their equipment to the top floor of our building. Had my boombox on which was sitting on the top of my workbench. Listening to Q104.3 when they cut into the music and said that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. Like many we all thought it was an accident. Then came the news that a second plane had hit. Less than a half hour later a message came over the PA to evacuate the building and to go home.

At that time we didn't know about the plane that had left Newark and ultimately ended up in the field in Pennsy. Which was lucky because apparently we were in the flight path that plane flew. I drove home keeping one eye on the sky and one eye on the road. Stayed off the NJ Turnpike and took back roads down to Trenton. To say I was nervous was and is an understatement.

So many died that day and so many more could have. All will be remembered. To this day whenever I see a service person I thank them for their service and going in harm's way to protect our freedom.