Obviously this was written on September 11, 2012
11 years ago today shortly after I walked into my office one of my team members said that they heard a plane had run into the world trade center. My first thought was to remember that a small plane had hit the Empire State building back in the 20's or 30's during a dense fog. I assumed it was something similar.
We all scrambled to our computers to look for news online which was very sketchy and a lot of news sites crashed because the whole world was doing the same. That was one of the first world wide stories of the internet news age and servers weren't ready for it. Then someone remembered we had a TV for training videos, and after dragging it next to the window we were able to get the local channels. I don't remember which one but they were all exclusively covering the crash.
Pretty much our whole floor, a few hundred people were gathered watching it. We were debating as much the TV announcers what could have caused it. Pilot error, mechanical malfunctions, a couple of people said it might have been intentional but no one took that seriuosly. The world was a much more innocent place even in that brief period betwee the two planes. Then the second plane hit and there was no doubt whatsoever.
We were angry, saddened and worried. As the reports came in of the Pentagon strike and the crash in Pennsylvania everyone started to worry if it could happen here. Whereever here was. With Charlotte being a banking center the decision was made to send everyone home from uptown for the day. So we all went home and watched the news all afternoon.
There was such a feeling of unity in the country for weeks after that. Even having many members of congress singing on the Capitol building steps. We all knew it wouldn't last forever but I had hoped that at least some of that would stick. It didn't. Now that burst of post 9/11 patriotism is a joke to those that think they are too cool for America and politically the nation is more divided than ever.
I love this country and am eternally greatful for the blessing of being born here. There is no better time and no better place in the whole history of the world to live.
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