On the morning of September 11, 2001, I had reported for my shift as a Reservations Sales Agent for American Airlines. The day was going well until a customer began screaming that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. Given the proximity to several airports, we assumed that it had been a small, private aircraft. When it become obvious this was not the case, we terminated our conversation. Supervisors brought TV's to an elevated area in the center of our office and we were seeing the horror that was unfolding in NYC. We were allowed to leave if we wanted to do that, and I did choose to go home. On my way out the door, I passed an American Airlines employee who had come to St. Louis to train TWA people after our company had been taken over by American. We hugged each other and, through tears, I managed to say "I am so sorry for your loss". She said, through her tears, "It is OUR loss now".

May God bless the beautiful souls that were lost that terrible day and their families who live with this loss every day. I will never forget!