I was in an accident with my brother in law (the fabled tour vs. tour wreck) on the 2nd, and my sister had a cast on her leg. We were in the Hospital, here on base, getting her ankle looked at when a nurse ran in the cast room and yelled "SHUT UP, SHUT UP.. LISTEN!!" and turned on the radio.. Live coverage of the events..
We walked into the waiting room for Orthopedics, and saw the news, live, on the TV. I saw the second plane crash, and never looked away from that moment on. Horribly tragic to see those people die that way.
I am completely ashamed of myself, now, because when it happened, and the towers began to collapse, I stared in amazement. Now, almost a year later, I finally realized that while I stood there staring, open-jawed.. There were thousands of people plummeting towards the earth, inside those buildings, and I never once thought of them, while it happened. I just couldn't take my mind off of those planes, or the buildings...
I was sad to see such a loss of life, and angry to know that it was purposely done. I get a sharp pain in my stomach still, even now, when I think about it.. I am in the military for a reason, and I can't WAIT to do something more for my country.
There have been alot of interviews with people who lost their family/friends on that day.. and one of them was my best friend.
Matthew Michael Flocco, 21, Newark, Delawareaerographer's mate second class, U.S. Navy
Confirmed dead, Pentagon, at/in building
His father used part of Matt's life insurance money to buy an RV and move, permanately to the Pentagon, to help rebuild it.
His mother, Sheila, and Father will be on Larry King Live, and multiple other places.. Sheila still hasn't been able to cope.. she hasn't cried yet.. it isn't real to her.. Matt will come home someday, she still feels. Sad, too sad..
I will have my headlights on ALL DAY 9.11.02
Ray
