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SES1066,

Thank you for posting this my FRiend. I shared the following with my children a bit earlier today:

“There are dates on our calendars that we remember and observe every year. Examples are our birthday, our anniversary, the birthdays of our family, friends, and co-workers. These dates, and the recognition of them, preserve the common unification of the family and workplace.

“Then there are dates which are remembered by most Americans, regardless of age. For example, New Years Day, Valentine Day (don’t ever forget it guys - it is the second most important holiday for women in your sphere), Easter, Mothers Day, Memorial Day, Fathers Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Eve. For sports followers, most look forward to reporting day for Spring Training, Opening Day, the All Star Game, the first day of football, the World Series, bowl games, the NBA season beginning, the Super Bowl.

“But, there are certain dates which which trigger individual memories. My children frequently tell me (when I recount some of the memories) that I have an uncanny knack of remembering dates. I don’t think it is extraordinary - it is just the memories of certain, specific events in the culture of the United States that coalesce the experience of all Americans that were alive on those days. We that lived during the times remember where we were, and what we were doing when we witnessed, or heard of them. We remember the people we were with when becoming aware.

“There are dates which we might not be able to recall, but the imprint of the events is seared deeply into our souls. We experience the emotion of going through a common experience with other Americans. We remember the details of learning about November 22, 1963 (President Kennedy killed), July 20, 1969 (Armstrong walking on the moon), August 9, 1974 (President Nixon resigning), August 16, 1977 (death of Elvis), December 8, 1980 (John Lennon killed in NYC), March 30, 1981 (assassination attempt on President Reagan), April 14, 1981 (the first landing of the Space Shuttle), January 28, 1986 (explosion of the Challenger), June 4, 1989 (culmination of the protests in Tiananmen Square), November 9, 1989 (fall of the Berlin Wall), December 26, 1991 (dissolution of the Soviet Union), April 19, 1995 (Murrah Building bombing), April 15, 2013 (bombing at the Boston Marathon), and, of course, September 11, 2001. What happened on that day transformed the world, molded and shaped generations, and provided a common period of unity and brotherhood among Americans, and even all in the world. We all know where we were when we first saw, or heard about the World Trade Center.

“On that fateful day, I left early (6:30 am) as I wanted to visit a client in the hospital. Wayne was recovering from a heart procedure. He had lost his wife a few years before, and was from rural Oklahoma. He had no family in Oklahoma City. So, I made a special effort to go see him as he rehabbed. I got to the hospital about 7:25 local time. Wayne was sitting up in bed, watching a morning news program. He muted the volume and we talked for a few minutes. Then, with no warning, he described what he had just seen on the TV (my back was to the TV) and put on the sound. We heard the newscaster talking about a possible crash of a plane with the WTC 1. They had tape/video of the crash, and were playing it. Then they went live and showed the second crash. Events started happening rapidly throughout the day.

“Throughout all the pandemonium, Wayne and I talked about his service in the Army, his deceased wife, and his medical status. We discussed many events that were impactful to his life.

“There is not a September 11 after 2001, that I have not called Wayne. This will be the first year we don’t talk as he died last Spring. Over the years, the common bond of experiencing the events of that day together drew us close. He was a retired dirt farmer, and I was his lawyer. We were as different as right from left; but we were the same too. I learned that there were days he experienced that occurred prior to me being born. He told me about his memory of the Depression, D-Day, V-J Day (the detonation of the atomic bomb), and we compared our memories of the dates I wrote above.

“Several things stood out about Wayne. He was a very resilient man that was deeply affected by his life experience. He loved his country. He loved his family. He was looked upon as a “normal” man brimming with integrity. He was comfortable in his own skin. He was gracious. I looked upon him as an excellent role model for life and love. I miss him as our lives are forever tied because of that day.

“LESSONS:

“1. Memories are good things which give us a sense of unity with those that experience them jointly.

“2. Integrity knows no time; it is always in style.

“3. Adversity brings good things to the surface - but we still don’t want it.

“4. We are constantly living in times which will be remembered by historians.

“5. Although our health/bodies are weak, we are stronger because of our common experiences.

“6. Circumstances bring together the most unlikely friends. Enjoy them when they occur.

“7. All men (and women) have their unique story, and we should let them tell it frequently.

“P.S. Today I am melancholic. And I am proud of my country. Because of my historical routine with calling Wayne every September 11, I will drive a couple of hours away and lay flowers, and plant a small flag on his grave. I was lucky to know Wayne, and experience his robust zeal for life. I miss his enthusiasm telling me about his life. I hope that I am able to leave that same impactful legacy when it is my time to exit the stage. But, today, I will think of the many positive memories Wayne and I shared; and the day the world changed forever.”