And then Michael asked me what was wrong.....

I had no idea that I was crying.....

I was managing McGarvey's back then. My Mother called to wake me because I had worked the night before, she knew I was asleep and she knew that I needed to see what was going on....I awoke just in time to see the second plane hit....  

The things that have stuck with me all these years......

My Mother's comparing that day to Pearl Harbor and living through both...

Tracy's Father being in the Pentagon and us not knowing for HOURS.....

Later, driving to New Carrolton to pick him up and seeing the beltway traffic sign flashing "Catastrophic Event...Avoid City" over and over.....

The pain all my firefighter and cop friends have carried all these years, that I can appreciate, yet never feel.....

Driving home from Annapolis that night and seeing no planes in the sky except two fighter jets...

But also the great pride I felt watching and trying to be a part of the nationwide process of standing up...STANDING TALL.....brushing off our collective pants and carrying on......United We Stood......UNITED WE STAND!!!  

Well, WE CARRY ON STILL....We live for those who fell.......who still fall today.....

All gave some...and some gave all......

Take a couple of minutes to enjoy these two bittersweet You Tube videos....

Let yourself feel it.....it's ok....it really is......

If you have read this far, accept my thanks and remember that I always try to make these letters more than just the ramblings of some schmuck trying to sell  you a burger and a beer.......I want you to be a part of this journey of mine.....

After all...they are YOUR American Saloons....

We will talk football & Caps next week...until then.....

God Bless You & God Bless America....

Little Joe