September 11, 2001
I was in my personnel security office on Panzer Kaserne, Kaiserslautern, Germany. When I heard the news on our TV monitor, I just sat down in the middle of the carpeted floor and watched in shock as the brutal terrorist attack on my country, our country unfolded. I’d never felt so helpless, alone, and vulnerable at the same time.

Somehow I managed to get through the day. I didn’t sleep that night. The next morning when I arrived in the parking lot on Panzer Kaserne, I noticed the increased security requirements to drive into the kaserne.

After I parked my car, I headed to my building along with others who had arrived for work. I was still in shock. I noticed that the others walking somberly towards my building were too.

I saw our chaplain. He saw the look on my face and knew what I was going through inside. I walked towards him. He held his arms open and I just cried. He held onto me and walked me towards my building. That was my only comfort for that day. 😔