Yahoo! is asking Americans how September 11 changed them. Below is an account from a reader.
As a reporter, I always looked forward to "good news days," a day when there was lots of hot news to cover, read about, and watch. As I sat along with the rest of the world glued to our television screens and watched the towers come down on September 11, 2001, and in the days afterward, I was overcome with guilt for ever wishing for a "good news day."
In the aftermath of the attacks, I helped raise money for the Red Cross. As the war on terrorism geared up, I started networking so I could support our wonderful men and women in the military to thank them for their service.
Still, that wasn't enough. I was doing what anyone could do, but I wanted to go the extra distance. Maybe do what others couldn't do, if not on the front lines on the war, at least here at home.
[Your story: How has September 11 changed you?]
In 2005, through a string of chance encounters, I finally found a way that I, too, could make a difference. I began training that eventually led me and my dog, Trooper, to join the ranks of search-and-rescue volunteers. It has been the most rewarding journey of my life.
Although I was in awe of the firefighters and others who rushed into the burning buildings that awful day, I am more so now. I've learned how hard they work and train so they will be ready for the days when disaster strikes, whether it is natural or man-made.
I was wrong, though, about one thing. Standing on the sidelines in 2001, it seemed that no amount of thanks could ever be enough for all of the wonderful acts of kindness and sacrifice that were generated from those evil acts of terror on 9/11. I have learned that the words "Thank you" really are enough.
A few weeks ago, I was part of the ground support for cadaver dogs that were being used in the search for a missing woman. At lunch, her family members stopped by to eat with the search crews. The woman's father went to everyone there, asked our names, shook our hands and said "Thank you" to each of us.
Indeed, it is enough.
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