9/11 a wound unhealed; a resolve unshaken

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • Thunderbolt Editor
MacDill AFB, Fla --  Eight years have passed since the security and peace of life in the United States was shattered in a few disastrous moments in the morning of Sept. 11, 2001 - 9/11. 

Like the attack on Pearl Harbor five decades before, the country and world was stunned, our military scrambled and our leaders rallied and we fixated on television screens as tragedy unfolded, and a narrative for the ages was being written. 

For MacDill and its commands, the events of day were its reason for being, and no time was wasted in implementing the procedures and contingencies planned for in a display of readiness central to the military mission and the security of the country. 

Amidst the professionalism and efficiency displayed, there were moments of emotion for everyone. There were tears, there was anger, there were prayers and hopes that it was over, and that more attacks were not in the works.

But most of all there was the awareness of the tremendous loss, tempered by the pride in all the rescuers and people who risked and gave their lives so that others might live. 

Eight years have passed, with the days few in which we don't suffer from what is now, and perhaps always will be, an unhealed wound. 

That pain is processed in many ways by many people, among them those who use it as the focal point of their resolve to do everything they can to prevent such an attack from ever happening again. 

It is why many at MacDill serve, and a driving force behind their deep sense of duty. On this anniversary of 9/11, we asked some to reflect and share their thoughts.