[OverHillandDale(Admin)]

I, of course, can never forget. Hence my other posting about the celebration of the living on this day. As it was my birthday that morning and I worked evenings, I slept late. I worked at the Alliance Theatre Company in Atlanta, GA. I had not turned on the TV or radio as I dressed to come in to work for a mid-day matinee. I was listening to cd's in the car so no radio again.

As I arrived at work I was greeted by many sad, sad faces. But it wasn't until I ran into my Wife, who worked at the theatre as well, that she told me something had happened. Being a public service org. we had to cancel our shows. I was not given time to react - I had to work. After working the cancellation of the matinee, greeting the few patrons that appeared at the Arts Center, I had to prepare to do the same for the evening, contacting all my volunteers of the cancellation as well. It was not until about 8:30pm that evening that I was given a free moment to go home and finally fully see what I had been catching glimpses of on the internet all day. Needless to say. All Birthday plans had been cancelled that day, except for a quiet dinner at home. I was desperately trying not to let them steal "my" day. But that became forever impossible.

All day I had been hearing stories of Actors and directors and staff members of our theatre that were stuck in NYC unable to return to us because of the tragedy. I also learned of many family members of staff and friends that were involved with the tragedy. There was a high degree of fear and sorrow amongst my work companions.

When I finally got home it was then that I learned how closely my own family and friends were involved. My family resides in the Wasington D.C. area. My Uncle was at Fort Myer at a medical clinic, not 2 miles from the Pentagon. They heard and felt the crash and were herded to safety and released from that area later. He could see and smell the smoke from the building.

My sister had to drive right by the Pentagon on a bus on her way to work and was, gratefully, past it prior to the incident, but by only 20 minutes. She later had to drive right back by in a traffic jam to get out of the city as they closed the city. The Pentagon is a mere 500 yds. off I-95/495 or whatever # that is going into town.

My best friend, then working in the finanace office of the Navy (and currently the CFO for the Marines) was in the Pentagon and had just left the area of the building hit to go to a meeting on the other side of the building. Back then, he had recently been assigned a new office which he had not moved in yet. That area was being renovated. That office was in the area hit by the attacking plane.

Over the years, I have come to know many people and many stories in all the areas affected that day and since. And despite the tremendous loss of lives during that time and since, they have all had a very uplifting outlook and approach to life. I admire them all so, and I strife to have the same love of and love for life as well.

I will never forget.