We posted these words from Col. Yanello on 9/11 on our social media platforms. We think this message is also worth posting on our blog and sharing to our monthly newsletter list. The heroes of this day are never forgotten, not just on the anniversary of 9/11, but every day and may we never forget.
Let’s Not Forget!
Words from a retired Marine …As I sit here in relative silence this morning, I’m thankful many of my friends and colleagues pass around emails, messages and videos of the horrible tragedies that happened on Sept 11, 2001 …… so America never forgets. Many nowadays were young and don’t remember those acts of terrorism…. many Americans won’t forget ….. I just can’t, as the sounds and smells still haunt me on this day…..
20 years ago tomorrow, I remember going into work at the Pentagon where I was stationed. It was a beautiful sunny day and I thought to myself what a lucky guy to be in the greatest, most powerful country and more importantly the safest building on earth. None of us knew, especially me, just how lucky I would be as 15 minutes prior things would have been much different. I was doing some work with an old classmate of mine from the National War College in his office on the Navy side. ….. we were informed of a plane that flew into one of the twin towers in NY and we thought… what a horrible accident. Then when we saw the second one hit the other tower on TV…. we both knew what was happening. I told my buddy Bob that I had to go back to my office located on the Joint Staff side ASAP. As I said goodbye… and left his office…. walking down the corridor back to my space…. I heard and felt a thunderous shudder. The rest of the events of that day were a blur and have turned into a 20-year nightmare. They never found much of my buddy U.S. Navy Capt Robert Dolan…. and to this very day I look up and ask…why was I so lucky… why was this sinner spared… the memory of those events still haunt me…and forever will.
So I ask you all to please pause for a moment today and remember all those men, women, brothers in arms, moms, dads, sons and daughters who perished at the hands of terrible cowards. God rest their souls. God bless you, and God bless America…. which still today… is the greatest country on earth.
Semper Fidelis
Col Yanello
USMC Ret
