September 11, 2002

It was a year after the September 11 attacks. I can still reamber that day clear as yeaterday in my mind. Planes hitting buildings, towers coming down, people running.

We are still learning from those mistakes over this past year.

I put my car and parked and got out and walked into the police station.

"Morning!" I said.

"Good morning to you too." Another officer said at the front Desk. "The Sargent said to get your traditional uniform on and come in to the briefing room." He said.

"Ok."

I put on my traditional uniform that we wore to funerals and special celebrations.

And I went to the briefing room. We were basically told what would happen as they were not done cleaning up the site yet they would be reading of the names.

When we got down to the site, it is about 30 minutes before the first plane would hit.

A little while later...

"Accompany attention!" Someone yelled.

"Present hut!" They said again

We saluted the American flag while the national anthem was playing when we were done with doing that, we stood at attention as they read the names of those who died that day but before that the governor said a few words.

"I know one year ago New York City, and the rest of America became under attack. And a terrorist attack against our nation. We stand here today to remember those who died that day and keep their memories alive. Of those that died were 343 firefighters, 72 police officers, 13 paramedics. We kept their memory alive because they made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation."

As they were reading their names, they ding bells for each person.

When it was finished, everyone headed back to each station.

I stood there, looking at the site that once stood the two tallest buildings in America, the world trade center.