Please Remember

Ten years ago I was woken up by my mom's then-boyfriend telling us to turn on the tv because a plane had crashed into one of the World Trade Center towers. Moments later I watched the second plane crash. Then I got myself ready to go to class to take my first exam for the semester in my newswriting class. On the way to campus I heard on the radio that another plane had crashed into the Pentagon. At the time my biggest concern was my dad who works in Arlington. I'll never forget the fear on my friend's face when I got to class. Her brother was attending the Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD and we feared they would be attacked next. In the following weeks I became an emotional mess, crying at the drop of a hat. I had no idea how the events that day would further impact my life.

Fast forward three months to New Year's Eve. I was at a dance for singles and met my future husband. His uncle had died at the Pentagon, serving in the Navy in the communications office in E-ring. As a newlywed couple on the one-year anniversary of the attacks, we were able to attend the memorial service held at the Pentagon and go inside to see how they had rebuilt and the memorial they have inside.



Commander Patrick Dunn

Uncle Pat has been honored with his only daughter and two great-nephews being named after him.

When I was pregnant with Tweedledum and Tweedledee and we found out one of them was a boy our thoughts immediately went to Uncle Pat and the decision was made to use his name. Tweedledee knows who he was named for and knows that something terrible happened to NeNe's brother and that's why he was given that name. Eventually they will be old enough for the images and details of that terrible day. For now we just need to remember all of those who were lost that day and keep their families and loved ones in our thoughts. And remember that we will see him again someday. Oh how I look forward to meeting Uncle Pat.