A day late and a dollar short

I was on my current ship for an inspection this year on the anniversary of September 11. I was standing watch during the remembrance ceremony. That is not unusual. I was already in the Navy as a senior E-3 or junior E-4 when it happened. We deployed off the west coast watching for inbound planes while the whole country was effectively a no fly zone. Some of my officers were 13 or 14 at that time. I have yet to forget the fear or uncertainty of those few weeks. It was the only time in twelve years that I have been deployed on a ship that was “weapons free” in my own back yard. As I have said before, I would do it again in a New York minute if called upon.