Reflecting on events. I had retired from the PD in 2000 and was settling into ranch life with a smattering of USAF reserve duty as an OSI Special Agent here and there. 24 years ago today I was on a 3 day assignment with the USAF reserve to give a threat briefing to a deploying AEF unit. I had been in the midst of building a horse breeding barn but had not put the roof on it and was anxious to get home to work on the barn. Instead as I walked into the Intel shop after the briefing, I watched live video of the second plane flying into the to WTC. My 3 day assignment became an 18 month tour, and ultimately I spent 6 of the next 10 years deployed to various places around the world.
9/11 changed my family's life profoundly. I was away from home more than 1700 days, my oldest son in USAF was deployed to the GWOT 9 times, my youngest son joined the Marines, son in law was deployed to Iraq as a Marine with the 1st MEF, and many friends and family had similar experience.
9/11 changed my family's lives profoundly, but ours is but a snippet in the context of the experiences of millions of Americans. It changed everything for all of us and continues to impact our lives today.
A few days ago I had the privilege to do a pistol skills course for some Navy and USMC student pilots, a few of whom were not born as of the 9/11 attack. We must not allow subsequent generations to forget the lessons of 9/11, nor in fact of Benghazi, or Pearl Harbor, the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Khobar Towers, Pan Am Flight 103, and the list of attacks against Americans goes on. Our defense is vigilance and strength, and the resolve to respond to threats with maximum violence. Never forget.
I lowered my flag to half staff yesterday in honor of Charlie Kirk and it remains so today in memory of 9/11. Never forget. Remain vigilant. Be strong. Be resolute. God Bless America.
