At the time, I worked the 7-midnight shift at a Chattanooga, TN radio station. My schedule after work usually went like this: go home, unwind for a couple of hours, then hit the hay.

I would sleep until about 10am or so before rising for the day. On September 11th, I woke up at around that same time and thought it was just another normal day. I had not turned the radio or television on and was clueless as to the tragedy that was unfolding.

I was dating my fiancee who still lived and worked in Raleigh, NC. I would call her each morning to say hello and chat about things ranging from work to wedding planning.

That morning when I called her office, the office manager answered as usual. However, there was nothing usual about her tone. It was a deafening quietness…heavy with sadness and shock. I asked her if everything was fine…she said “Hold on” before transferring my call to my fiancee.

As my fiancee answered, she said “Have you heard what happened?”. I turned on my television and watched the developments. My life changed that day. Everyone’s life changed that day.

I will never forget that morning. I will never forget the moments afterward, when a country that was struck by cowards, rose up and came together in a force of true patriotism. God Bless America. Never Forget.