Billie's Blog: We made it to DC

[FCTP]

We are in DC and the feeling in the air is very different than it was last year.

Last year we were not sure if we should "expose" ourselves as tea party members because no one really knew if anyone else would show up. Last year, people in the hotel elevator were quiet and nice and they kept their "tea party tee shirts" covered up.

This year -- not so much!! As we gathered downstairs to get a bite to eat, bus loads of tea party members were unloading and checking into the hotel. They had their tee shirts on AND they were carrying their signs in with them to the front desk!

The Tea Party has come to town and we are proud of it.

Today will be a more reflective day as we gather at the Washington Memorial where we will have a Memorial Service for those who died on 9/11. Today marks the 9th anniversary of that tragic day in America when those who hate us tried to take us down. They were not successful!

Where were you when 9/11 happened? I was heading down I95 on a business trip and I was all alone listening to the reports on the radio. It was a beautiful day with a clear, blue sky and a stroke of a cloud here and there. While the world looked beautiful, I felt fear like never before. Read more about my trip at http://www.libertycentral.org/america-in-the-arms-of-an-angel-2010-09 and then go to the forums and tell us where you were. This will be our way of showing respect to those who died.

We will report back in after the Memorial Service and hope you will take a few minutes today to reflect on the greatness of America and give thanks for being an American.

[Patricia M. McBride]

I was home on 9/11/2001 and I called my Mom between when tower 1 and tower 2 were hit. My Mom didn't say "Hello" or anything except ask if the TV was on. I said NO. She said "Go turn it on right now". I started to ask why and she said "Do what I told you to and turn on your television". I did and caught the coverage of the second tower being hit. I was out of the loop totally and thought, this can't be happening, but my Mom filled me in. My husband, Donald, was in Seattle for testing on a boat. He called afterwards. He made it home on his flight on Saturday, because they allowed planes to fly again (but it wasn't an easy thing). Many of his co-workers would not get on a plane and one group actually drove back together from the West Coast. That same night about 9:30 PM, my sister called to let me know my Dad had passed away, so the day will always have much sadness associated with it.

[Vince Curcio]

Billie ... I'll never forget where I was that day because I was right there ..... not too far from the Pentagon. I lost many, many dear friends and was that saddest day of my life. "Sempre Fi" brothers and sisters as the memory of you and your life on earth will be etched in my mind forever.

[Daniel R. Carr]

We rolled into National Harbor, MD where we're staying last evening, and have committments this AM, but are looking forward to seeing y'all at Old Ebbits Inn tonight and the march on Sunday.

I was in Houston at a company training class for that week in 2001, and the morning class was interrupted by the announcement (07:43 Houston time) of the Towers Attack. We found it difficult to concentrate on the materials for the remainder of the week. I managed to get a flight home to Jax that Friday, which was one of the earliest in the air after the no-fly order. My company's WHQ was on the 44th floor (recently relocated from the 106th floor, where there were NO survivors), and nobody was injured/lost. They also escaped in the 1993 bombing, from the 106th.

Our thoughts and prayers are for those lost, their families and for the survivors of that terrible event.

Co-incidentally, I was in another company training class in Houston for the Hurricane Katrina week in 2005. Flights and hotels were pretty disrupted then too. I remember from the hotel looking out at the black curtain of clouds coming over the area after hitting New Orleans. Spooky, to say the least.