A Real Life Hero Tucked Me In Every Night

It would be impossible for me not to reflect on the 10^th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. My recent career path led me to an organization that played an active role in commemorating the milestone anniversary  and honoring all the lives lost through acts of service – and so for the last few months it has been a part of my everyday life. You could argue that it’s been a part of all of our everyday lives since the moment the first plane struck the North Tower.

While my main focus on this blog will be to talk about my life as a triathlete, that life is fueled by the love of my family. The way our country responded after Sept. 11 defined who we are as Americans – we united, we grew stronger and we persevered. When I reflect back to that fateful day and the months that followed, I also remember my family – and how it defined us.

Like so many, my family was directly impacted by Sept. 11, but not in the sense that those in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania were. We watched the towers collapse from the safety of our living room, while my Dad was half way around the world serving as Commanding Officer of an F-14 squadron.  Like so many we spent the days following the attacks glued to the television, praying for the lives lost, but we also looked to the future wondering what role our Dad would play in history.

My Dad was two days outside of Singapore en-route to the Persian Gulf to support Operation Southern Watch when he learned our country was under attack. He returned from a night flight and was met planeside by a fellow officer who shared the news. I remember asking my Dad later what his initial thoughts were. He said he was angry that he was a million miles away from the ones he loved with the goal of protecting us, and we had been attacked in our backyard. He felt disconnected, knowing no matter how many times he saw the footage – he couldn’t imagine what we were feeling at home.

I would be lying if I denied wishing and praying that my Dad could come home immediately – I was old enough to realize he was going to be actively involved in the aftermath. He felt for us left behind and how vulnerable we must have been, while they were as he describes “sitting on 90,000 tons of U.S. sovereign territory on the preverbal tip of the sword.”

Without going into too much detail – there’s a good chance my Dad will be written into the history books.  My Dad is my hero not only in the sense that a father is when he has a loving relationship with his children, but a hero for our entire country. He led men and women of our armed forces overseas in response to the attack we suffered on U.S. soil. He stood up for all those who lost their lives on that day, for the children who lost parents and for our country during a time of fear and uncertainty.

One of my favorite sayings is, “behind every strong man is an even stronger woman.” I would argue this until I’m blue in the face when speaking about military spouses, which is where my Mom comes into play. I was 14 years old on Sept. 11. My older sister was 16 and my younger sister was only nine years old. I shared the same fear and uncertainty that the rest of the country experienced during this unknown time, but I don’t remember living in fear of my Dad’s involvement. I owe that peace of mind to the strength my Mom displayed; not only for us girls at home, but for the strength she gave my Dad, letting him know we were well taken care of. I hope that if I am one day tested to that magnitude that the strength my Mom taught me will shine through for my future husband and children.

This past Sunday I spent my day much like I did on Sept. 11, 2001 – in front of a television, glued to the emotional coverage, stories of loss and heroic acts. I realize how blessed I am to be able to call my hero on the phone and tell him I love him – a luxury that more than 3,000 lost 10 years ago and more continue to lose as they fight for our freedom today. It’s a luxury I refuse to take for granted.

I’m not the only one that recognizes my Dad as a hero. If you think I’m biased I hope you’ll take a minute to read an article written shortly after Sept. 11 by Sports Illustrated’s Rick Reilly: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1024036/index.htm

And yes, if you read through to the bottom I’m the princess. Told you so!