Memories of Memories--9-11

On a warm September Sunday after the 9-11 attacks in 2001, my mother and I joined several other flag wavers on the walking bridge across Lake Pend Oreille. 

We proudly waved our flags as nearly every vehicle honked as it passed by us on the main Long Bridge. 

That weekend, the entire town of Sandpoint and virtually every neighborhood in our community was alive with patriotic red, white and blue.

I'm sure that show of love for our country was just as enthusiastic in communities across the nation.

~~~~~~ 

Wouldn't it be nice if we could rekindle that collective spirit in our beloved America without lives being lost. 

“If we learn nothing else from this tragedy, we learn that life is short and there is no time for hate.” —Sandy Dahl, wife of Flight 93 pilot Jason Dahl

Thoughts from past "Slight Detour" postings . . . .

Out of touch

Sept. 2006

I often wonder what our lives would be like if we just didn't know some things. What if we had never seen a computer and suddenly walked into a room to see someone sitting and hitting keys while looking at a screen filled with a bunch of squares, strange symbols and words.

What would we do if for the first time ever we saw someone pull a gadget from their pocket, put it up to their ear and start talking? 

 What would we do if they suddenly pointed that object at us and pushed a button? What would we do if they brought it our way and showed us the picture they just snapped?

These thoughts always take me back to old Rip Van Winkle, Washington Irving's comic character who got so tired of his wife's nagging that he and his dog went off to the woods and fell asleep for 20 years. 

 When he woke up, his dog was dead, his nagging wife was long gone and his musket had rusted. Must've been a bit of a shock for Rip to know things had changed so dramatically during his nap.

Every time I think of this Washington Irving character's story, it's easy to get lost in thought about what it would be like to go through such an experience.

Folks who suffer comas from accidents and then wake up weeks or months later could probably provide some intriguing stories about the sensation of learning that the world kept spinning during their extended naps. 

Bad things happened. New rules governed their lives. New-fangled stuff had replaced things like pencils, typewriters and dial-up phones.

In today's instant-communications world, I can't imagine anything besides a long nap keeping anyone immune from the major events. 

Well, that does actually occasionally happen, and this morning, I read a prime example of such an occurrence on the SHS alumni site.

The anecdote was written by Colt Mehler (Class of 1992), an aeronautical engineer and aviation consultant who lives in Boise and travels as far away as Germany to do his work. 

Colt is definitely up on technology since he's one of the three young men who developed the alumni site and continues to improve its offerings.

Colt tells of an experience where he learned one day the world had changed dramatically---seven days after the fact. His comments were written in response to a forum on 9-11 memories. Here's what he wrote:


I was one of the few who did not know about the tragedy that transpired until 7 days after 9/11.

I was on a rafting trip with 20 other individuals going down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. 

 We were camping on the sandy shores each night of our 14-day expedition. We had been watching the satellites, airplanes and shooting stars each night as we gazed out from the canyon floors. 

 About half way through the trip we didn't see any more air traffic and we just assumed that we were out of the flight paths of the nearby airports. 

We met only a few other rafting companies, all of which had been on the river longer than us and were not aware of the event that had transpired.

It wasn't until we pulled out on the 14th day of our trip that we were each given a newspaper from 9/12. All of us sat silent as we read the headlines in disbelief.
As I recall, another of my former students, Sarah Aavedal, had a similar experience, though for not as long. She was in the back country of South Central Idaho and did not learn of the tragedy for at least a couple of days. 

 Colt, Sarah and others must have an interesting perspective, knowing that there are still places on this earth where people can still escape the headaches of society. Definitely an interesting phenomenon in today's world. It would be fun to know the feeling.

Friday, September 11, 2009

Not just another Friday

Today has significance for a variety of reasons. Of course, all Americans will, no doubt, take a cue from the calendar date to remember their personal experiences related to 9-11. 

For millions of us, September 11, 2001, remains a spectacle of horrific tragedy.

We sat in the safety of our surroundings, throughout the day, glued to whatever TV was available, aghast, that such a thing could happen to our nation. 

The most we could do to help that first day was to sigh and cry about the profound sadness and horror of the event unfolding on live television footage.

Our emotions, though deep, could not come close to the off-the-chart levels of those immediately affected by the attacks, those who died, those who lost loved ones, those who ran in horror, not knowing what the next few hours of their lives would bring.

We shall never forget, and on this day every year of our lives, we shall recount our individual memories and bow our heads in honor of those who sacrificed so much at the hands of murdering zealots.

And, as we go about our business, we now take for granted the changes that occurred in our day-to-day travels because of those attacks eight years ago. 

Many of these security-related nuisances have become a way of life for a nation once filled with maybe too much trust.

But we move on, doing our best and trusting that we'll never encounter such a day ever again in our lifetimes.

Sept. 11, 2013

It's hard to fathom that it's been 12 years since that awful morning when our world seemed to be crumbling before our very eyes via television screen or, for many people, in person. 

Thinking about all that's happened in our nation and our lives in the past dozen years is even more challenging. 

The memories of the moments when we all first learned of the first horrific event of 9-11 and then the second and the third and the fourth----still remain so vivid.  

And, the horror---still so tangible as if it were just yesterday. 

My first knowledge came through sitting at my computer and seeing a headline and a photo on Yahoo online news. 

Immediately, I turned on the TV.  Soon after, I watched CNN as the second plane hit the towers.

A few minutes later, I called my kids, all in Boise at the time, all students at Boise State. Willie and Debbie had been married one month to the day.  

Later, I tore myself away from the television and drove to school.  A whole lot happened on the East Coast during that ten-minute drive.  More planes down, more horror.  

Many of my colleagues and I stood, almost paralyzed in the hallway, propped against the walls, wondering out loud what all this meant and when was it going to stop. 

Soon we were in our classrooms, trying to remain calm in front of our students.  I don't remember the announcements that day.  

I just remember the numbness of it all and the sober atmosphere that took over the school on that beautiful morning. 

I also remember one student in one of my morning classes who asked to be excused so he could call home.  

"My brother will probably go off to war," he announced as he walked out the door.  More than likely he was correct.   

Two wars later, here we are on the brink of another war, but maybe not.  

It would be nice if all the people in power would find common ground to avert wars, but we all know that would be in a perfect world where all human beings stayed on the same page.  

Rather doubtful, to say the least. 

This morning as I type, my kids are no longer in Boise.  

It's hard not to think of one's kids every time we remember the events of this day.  They were the first people I wanted to talk to 12 years ago. 

I probably won't visit with them this morning, but I have written a brief note to my daughter:  "safe travels."  

She's in the air, flying across the Atlantic, as I type.  

I will look very forward---on this particular day as with any other---to see a Facebook posting the minute she has landed safely in Seattle later this afternoon. 

My son is no doubt at school, walking that same hallway where my colleagues and I stood,  stunned 12 years ago.  

And, hopefully, his day will start as planned, maybe with a mention of 9-11 and some remembrances.  

Maybe a lot of remembrances, come to think of it. 

After all, most of his students were 3, 4 and 5 years old on that day.  They probably need to hear the stories of those who will remember September 11, 2001, for the rest of their lives.

My wish as I remember that morning:  may it be a peaceful day the world around.

Sept. 11, 2016 

A poignant observation expressed in a Facebook post on Sept. 11, 2016, by a true hero from Sandpoint. 

Fifteen years, and it still hurts like it did that day. 

I couldn't even imagine what the world would look like if that act of terror wasn't successful? That's how life altering 9/11 was for our country and the world.

My heart still goes out to the victims and first responders. They're still battling every day with health issues. We must take care of these people. It's our responsibility as a nation. 

Never forget!!

                                           ----Former Army Sgt. Brandon

Note:  Adam, who lost both legs while serving in Iraq, now lives life to the fullest with his wife and two adorable daughters.  

In the minds of many who know him and his story, this former soldier also serves as an inspiriational example of grace, courage and sincere caring for his fellow man. 

Read more about Brandon below. 

Thanksgiving Thoughts:  2017


On this day before Thanksgiving, I would like to share a story which is unfolding in the life of one of my former SHS students, Brandon Adam.

"Slight Detour" readers have seen occasional references to Brandon over the years, especially since 2007, dealing with this brave young man who enlisted in the U.S. Army soon after seeing the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

When 9-11 happened, Brandon was a happy-go-lucky soccer player in my rollicking fifth-period English class at Sandpoint High School, literally, the final class of my career.

I cannot report that I observed a visual change in his attitude that day because we were all visibly shaken by the horrific events that occurred.

In pretty much every English class on Sept. 11, 2001, we talked about what had happened and watched on TV as the aftermath of this horrible attack unfolded.

That one event affected so many lives forever, including Brandon's.  http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2007/may/17/messages-from-home/

Over the years since Brandon's misfortune in Iraq, it's been thrilling to report that this humble, brave and patriotic young man has continued daily to pick up the pieces of his life and to serve as a phenomenal example for those who know him and for those he encounters pretty much everywhere he goes.

He is married to lovely Shannon, an English teacher. At the present time, Shannon is being treated for non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, so she is not working during this school year.

The couple have two adorable daughters.

Recently, another chapter in Brandon's life, which changed dramatically in 2007, began to unfold.

I believe this particular episode definitely fits in the genre of "Thanks Giving."

In this morning's post, I'll simply let website information and Brandon's words tell the tale.

I hope this story uplifts you and inspires you. Do visit the site for Tunnels2Towers.

Good works are happening all across this country.  Sadly, they are too often drowned out by the dark elements of our world.

On this day, I am thankful for Brandon, for all of our military, for caregivers, for all who do humanitarian work locally, regionally, nationally and worldwide.

I'm also thankful for the generous giving of corporate America and entities like the NFL.

Enjoy the story. 

 

Denver Broncos player Von Miller,

 Brandon and Shannon Adam

 “ . . . while we have time, let us do good.” 

                                         ---St. Francis of Assisi

Stephen Siller was a New York fire fighter who died trying to save others in the 9-11 attack. 

On September 11, 2001, Stephen, who was assigned to Brooklyn’s Squad 1, had just finished his shift and was on his way to play golf with his brothers when he got word over his scanner of a plane hitting the North Tower of the World Trade Center.

Upon hearing the news, Stephen called his wife Sally and asked her to tell his brothers he would catch up with them later. He returned to Squad 1 to get his gear.

Stephen drove his truck to the entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, but it had already been closed for security purposes.

Determined to carry out his duty, he strapped 60 lbs. of gear to his back, and raced on foot through the tunnel to the Twin Towers, where he gave up his life while saving others.

Stephen’s parents were lay Franciscans and he grew up under the guiding philosophy of St. Francis of Assisi, whose encouraging and inspirational phrase “while we have time, let us do good” were words that Stephen lived by.

Stephen’s life and heroic death serve as a reminder to us all to live life to the fullest and to spend our time here on earth doing good – this is his legacy.

                                                   from    https://tunnel2towers.org/

~~~~~~~~~~

"Just gonna have to figure out ways to pay it forward in the future."
                                               ---Brandon Adam

On May 5, 2007, US Army SGT Brandon Adam, of Sandpoint, Idaho, was serving as a combat engineer in the second infantry division in Iraq.

He was the gunner aboard a route clearance vehicle when he was struck by a roadside explosive formed projectile.

SGT Adam suffered the loss of both legs above the knee, serious back injuries including a torn L5 disc, nerve damage, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

SGT Adam, who is married and has two daughters, has not let his injuries hold him back from doing what he loves.

He is a two-time silver medalist in Mono Skier X at the X Games in Aspen (2011 and 2015), a national champion in sled hockey with the Colorado Avalanche, and he’s actively pursuing a position in sled hockey with the US National Team.


Brandon Adam will be receiving his smart home in Colorado.

Finally, from Brandon, responding to a few questions I recently sent him:


I can only answer a few questions about it. Under contract, I am not to reveal details of how they operate, but  I can say I'm working with Tunnels to Towers--The Stephen Siller Foundation. 

They are the ones building the home.  They are the driver behind all of this. My teammate, with whom I play hockey, talked to me about this Foundation, and he contacted them to tell them to contact me.

Then, I just filled out some paperwork about my injuries, and I qualified to get the home. It really came out of nowhere. We've been in the process to build since April. 

It took a while to find the right property because they build rancher homes for us. So, finding flat land was an issue, but we finally did. 

We will be building in Silverthorne, Colo. It's a ski town about 15 minutes from Breckenridge.

So, they set us up in Heaven for my family.

We had a choice to build wherever we wanted.  So, we chose to move closer to the mountains.

The house should be done by the end of next summer.  They can't start building because of the weather, so they should start in April.

All I can say about the NFL is that they are sponsors for the Building for America's Bravest program, which is a partner of Stephen Siller Foundation. Besides that, I don't know their role. GMC is also a big donor too.

That's why I went to the game (Denver Broncos on Nov. 3).  Being a recipient of a home,  I agreed to go so we can raise more money for future homes.

It's exciting stuff.  Completely crazy and unexpected.  Very humbling to receive such an awesome gift that will change my life.  Also, it's gonna be completely mortgage free. So, obviously, that is massive. 

I'm just so fortunate to serve nowadays when people respect veterans.  Very lucky. I still struggle with taking a huge gift like this, but I would be crazy to pass it up.

Just gonna have to figure out ways to pay it forward in the future. 

My response to Brandon's last statement:  you have dearly paid.  

Enjoy your new home.