22 years have passed since that tragic day. The outrage and solidarity that arose following that event have now faded but I still remember that day vividly. I had 4 total joints scheduled at Fairfax Hospital but after completing the first, I learned of the towers being hit, then the Pentagon was struck. All in house surgeons assembled in the ER and were separated into teams to deal with the expected victims from the Pentagon but only a few burn patients arrived and we were released in the evening.
For those who want to feel the outrage following the attacks, I would recommend visiting The George Bush Library at SMU in Dallas. A visit takes you back to that day and will rekindle the emotions you felt. It will also allow you to realize how easily the horrors of that day have been forgotten.
I recently spent 2 weeks in Wyoming and attended a rodeo on August 26, the 2 year anniversary of the Abbey Gate disaster. A rider entered the arena carrying the magnificent Wyoming State Flag. A young lady then rode in, at breakneck speed , circling the arena carrying the Flag of the United Staes with the thousands in attendance clapping and cheering, as Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American" played. The 2 riders than stopped in the center of the arena. 13 saddled but riderless horses were led into the arena. The names and hometowns of the 13 servicemen and women killed at the Abbey Gate in Afghanistan were read, followed by a minute of silence and a lone trumpeter playing "Taps". The crowd then sang "The National Anthem". I felt fortunate to be there, in my jeans, boots and cowboy hat.
For those who want to feel the outrage following the attacks, I would recommend visiting The George Bush Library at SMU in Dallas. A visit takes you back to that day and will rekindle the emotions you felt. It will also allow you to realize how easily the horrors of that day have been forgotten.
I recently spent 2 weeks in Wyoming and attended a rodeo on August 26, the 2 year anniversary of the Abbey Gate disaster. A rider entered the arena carrying the magnificent Wyoming State Flag. A young lady then rode in, at breakneck speed , circling the arena carrying the Flag of the United Staes with the thousands in attendance clapping and cheering, as Lee Greenwood's "Proud to be an American" played. The 2 riders than stopped in the center of the arena. 13 saddled but riderless horses were led into the arena. The names and hometowns of the 13 servicemen and women killed at the Abbey Gate in Afghanistan were read, followed by a minute of silence and a lone trumpeter playing "Taps". The crowd then sang "The National Anthem". I felt fortunate to be there, in my jeans, boots and cowboy hat.
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