Twelve years ago, 02 July 2001, I started a journey at West Point as a young 18 y/o to become a part of the Long Gray Line. My class just finished how to be soldiers and cadets during our Cadet Basic Training. September 11th happened a couple weeks into the academic year. That day we would not get hazed by the Upper Classmen, instead we were treated as humans, future Officers that will eventually go to war together. That morning I had already been to my first class and as I was walking back a couple Upper classmen told me to stop greeting them and hurry back to my room to watch TV. This was not normal for a Plebe (freshman) to hear because we had to double time to and from wherever we were headed with the proper greeting of the day when we saw upper classmen. Plebes aren’t allowed to watch TV, but the CCQ (Cadet in Charge of the barracks for the day) sent out a mass email telling everyone to turn on CNN (through our desktop computers) because there had been a big plane accident in the city. Since I had permission, I turned on my computer/TV and watched it with my roommate Matthew Kern. My Team Leader (sophomore), Benjamin Klimkowski invited me into his room and told me to relax. A plebe rarely interacts with his team leader in a cordial manner. My team leader was from New York and we kept watching the replay of the first plane hitting the first tower, then suddenly we see the second tower being struck. The newsfeed was repeating over and over again as we watched this tragedy. As an hour past, I headed back to my class and my professor told us its our responsibility to continue class because these senseless acts won’t stop us from our mission. Later the Pentagon was attacked; we were all restless, waiting on orders from the General. Do we still go to class? Are we being activated? What’s our role as future officers? This was before lunch (which has a formation to put out information, so we were still in the dark). I don’t remember if we made up our own minds or word came down through the grapevine, but we continued all classes as scheduled. Everything was done, the Towers, United 93, and the Pentagon and we were in lunch formation. The Cadet Mess Hall was quieter than I have ever heard it and there were many rumors at lunchtime that West Point was the next target because the planes flew over the USMA along the Hudson River. All 4,000 cadets eat lunch together at once and one more plane into the mess hall would kill four years worth of West Pointers, which would be devastating military and national loss. Everyone was happy to get out of Washington Hall as soon as possible. That day my parents called and we talked about the reality of me going to war. We discussed whether I should leave the Academy since I could opt out without any obligation. That option was never crossed my mind. The rest of the day was a blur. That evening we had a vigil. An evening vigil is conducted whenever a cadet dies and all 4,000 cadets line up at the apron in front of Washington Hall before TAPs prior to bed at West Point. It’s a very sacred moment at the Academy that isn’t shared with the public, but the Generals thought it would be important to share with the American citizens on all public networks. All 4,000 cadets lined up dressed right dress on the apron in darkness as the Bugle played TAPs for the fallen on September 11th. You could hear cadets crying as we salute the fallen, proud and scared not knowing that was a reality. At that moment I knew I had to serve and be amongst those going overseas to fight those bastards that attacked out country. I am proud that I have served 25 months in Afghanistan and 5 months in other allied nations in the Middle East building their militaries. Bringing the Fight to the enemy was a necessity to protect our homeland. I will ALWAYS remember my 8 classmates, 26 soldiers in my Battalions, and the thousands that have made the ultimate sacrifice four our country. This morning I gathered my Company to read what happened on September 11th, afterwards we conducting PT (physical training) and ran with the American flag, followed by a discussion of where my younger and oldest Soldiers were that day( youngest being in 4th grade), emphasizing the importance of remembering and reflecting on that solemn day. Take a bit of time today to really reflect on where you were, what you felt, and remember all those who are now in our memories. If you feel inclined, post something, a collective conscience and recollection is a powerful thing. God Bless America!!!
Posted on: Wed, 11 Sep 2013 19:37:27 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015