I remember

I wrote this a year ago in response to a thread in my clan forum about what I remembered about 9/11. It still feels the same today as it did then.

I remember the feeling of helplessness, being an ocean away from my wife and daughter, and not being able to do anything to protect them from the horror of what was happening. I had sworn an oath to defend my country, and yet suddenly I no longer found myself in the war zone. I remember the shock of realizing that my home was now the war zone.

I remember the sudden surge of hatred and anger that I felt a week after the attacks when I was finally able to get to an airport to return home and came face to face with a man of Middle Eastern heritage, and the look of sadness in his eyes, a look that seemed to apologize to me, though he had nothing to do with the attacks. I remember being humbled by that look.

I remember the look in my wife's eyes when I told her that I would be volunteering to go back overseas to fight the evil that had taken so much from our country. There was fear yes, but strength also, because she knew it was something I had to do, and I knew I had her full support and undying love.

And I remember the feeling of pride I had when I saw the firefighters raise our flag over the ruins of the World Trade Center. I remember hoping that I could stand up and be as brave as they were.

Most importantly, I remember....