The R.O.T.C. is much in evidence on campus today, involved in numerous 9/11 remembrance activities. I grew up in New York, and most of my family and a number of close friends live there still. In the WTC attacks a good friend lost her brother in law, a friend from college lost her husband, and a friend from law school lost his life. Though the community where I grew up is on the far fringes of the NYC metropolitan region, a lot of NYC firefighters and police officers live in the area because the housing is affordable and the schools are decent, and the events of 9/11/01 made a big impact there. So there isn’t much chance I’d forget what today means, even though I am in South Carolina.
Five years ago my nephew, who is also my godson, was 13. He was then, as he is now, smart, hardworking, and very kind hearted. He graduated high school last spring, joined the Army, and in a few days he will begin basic training. He’s hoping to become a medic. I’m very proud of him, but also very worried for him. Seeing so many people in uniform this morning brought a lot of roiling emotions to the surface, and I am asking those of you who seem to be finding your way over here from Althouse to please give me a 24 hour respite from your nasty comments (which, if you haven’t noticed already, I am not going to post) and your horrible e-mails. Today of all days there must be something more constructive you can do with your time.
–Ann Bartow
