USVI-On-Line

Thank you so much for sharing such a personal experience. It's great that St. John has been such a healing experience for you and I hope for many many happy thoughts to come - I totally agree that it helps the darkest days pass. I miss my Dad too, he died the year before the 2001 tragedy. That horrific time for our country would have done a lot of damage to his heart and soul, as it did all of us. Again, thank you.

Very beautiful, Gromit. STJ has the same magical power over me to heal any hurts or frustrations, and I hope it always stays that way.

Gromit,

That is very beautiful.

The Shopper

Thanks Gromit

Brought tears to my eyes both for you & for the hard day I had 7 years ago. As a teacher of special ed students it was extra trying. One had a mom working at the Pentagon, another had a dad (divorced) working in the Twin Towers and our school is near the Academy in Annapolis so fighter planes were circling. Both parents made it out but we couldn't get through to either while they were at school.
We were the lucky ones.

Seven years ago today I had just gotten home off a four day trip..(that was back in my former life when I was a Flight Attendant)...I had gotten in late the nite before...I'd had a long Portland Maine layover...got there Sunday around lunch time and didn't have to leave until the next morning until 6... I remember walking around downtown Portland (one of my absolute favorite cities) it was a beautiful fall week-end... sat down at my favorite lobster shack dive and watched the world go by.. literally.. I distinctively remember thinking.. "Gee there are a hell of a lot of foreigners here".. but my feeble brain just chalked it up to the beginning of the "Leaf-Peeping Season"... Little did I know...that SOB atta and company was there shopping at Walmart...I often think what if I had been there just 24 hours later?..Like Gromit's Dad said.. None of us get outta here alive...But you gotta wonder...My brother (also airline, Pilot/Check Airman called me the next morning and said..you need to turn on the TV... my first though was.. Oh my god we've had another crash..then I watched United go in the 2nd tower...the rest of the day was a slow motion blur...after it was all said and done....it really pissed me off...alot of folks quit after that day.... I called when I found out they were looking for people to get back in the air...I was bound and determined that no one was going to intimidate me in my own country... and so we went...crew members bound together by strength, love and a new perception of what the world was... we were one of the first to fly into LGA on that Friday....the rubble was still burning....we didn't have many passengers but you could have heard a pin drop as we made our approach up the East River....I looked out and wanted to photograph it, but I just couldn't...I'll remember that day as long as I live...I had never been to St John before 9/11, but I have neighbors who had been going for several years...they had a big ass villa and an extra room and invited me down.. I almost didn't go, but I did.. and the rest they say,is history.. (I think Rick G has blackmail photos of me at Woody's)...That trip was one of the best things that has ever happened to me....I went home, and made some executive decisions and now I don't work there anymore(technically)....It was time for me to go.. 25 years is a long time... There are a plethora of things that I don't miss, but I miss my buddies who put their life on the line ever day...I have always gritted my teeth when all the conversation about employees with $hitty attitudes and which airline craps on you more...trust me,...you don't know how much you can be crapped on till you work there...That's the only soapbox thing I've got to say.. and if you want to waste your time flaming me...then "Flame on"...I don't work there anymore.. But I have a deep and abiding respect for those who get up ever morning and put their life on the line to move people from point a to point b...we lost soooo much that day...But I know it has made us stronger.. at least it has me...and I go to STJ every chance I get...cause it does it for me..that said, thank you Gromit for this post (mine is long too)..but it's just another side of the many stories that day...This forum is such a great place....Worts and all... we all just love the rock....OK, I am through venting now...

PS.. I have just booked a one-way ticket to STJ for the OCT/NOV trip.. I just wanted to make SURE I got there...I still have pass privileges, so I really don't give a flip how I get back!!...Sunday Jazz TWICE... SWEEEEEEET!!!!

Wow! We all have our individual memories of 9/11/2001 etched in our minds - may we never forget the feelings we had on that day.

Gromit, thanks for sharing your thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Reflecting on that terrible day helps me realize how blessed I truly am. There but for the grace of God.....

Peace.

Thanks to all of you for the warm fuzzies. This time of year is rough on everyone in different ways.

Thanks again all!


(((((Hugs))))

Gromit

Gromit-
I think I needed a few days to digest your story...
Like so many others who have posted remarks, I'm grateful that you shared your experiences; thank you.
I constantly dream about those smells,sights,and sounds that STJ gives, and I know how powerful its' beauty is, as well. It's as exciting as it is relaxing.
Thanks again for sharing your experience. Maybe we'll meet up for a pain killer one day.
T-minus 39 days 'til me & my honey taste the breeze on Maho...
Smiles-
MJ

We were up the hill from the Pentagon in Arlington at my little girl's ENT doctor when the first tower got hit. They had the TV in the lobby on with the first WTC hit being broadcast. The kids were standing around watching this live with the adults when Flight 175 hit the second tower. My daughter looked up at me and said "Dad, can you rewind that?"

We were driving from Arlington to Falls Church when the Pentagon was hit. We saw F-18s and F-16s in the sky with afterburners lit like roman candles. All of my friends working in the Pentagon got out uninjured that day.

St. John was a much needed vacation in October of 2001; BOATSRUS, it was good letting off steam with you. We'll be back for the seventh year in a row November 1. I have those pictures safe, especially the belly dancing lesson.

Cheers, RickG