After about thirty seconds of internal debate I chose the trip. I quickly realized the opportunities it afforded me. I wanted to stretch my new found wings and experience some of my sixteen-year- old freedom. Afterall, turning sixteen meant so much. I would be driving soon and my curfew was now after mid-night.
Our tour group left for Italy in March of 1983, when travel was far simpler than it is today. Lip gloss and hair gel (staples of the 1980s) could travel with you. Aside from having a ticket, a passport, and one bag per person there weren't many concerns.
I still remember boarding the plane, If I close my eyes I can still see the beautiful sunset over the runway at Kennedy that evening, and I can still feel the feelings of freedom and great anticipation as our plane left NY.
We stopped in Amsterdam to refuel. We were allowed to step off the plane for an hour or so while the plane was serviced. My friends and I went looking for souvenirs to prove we were actually there. We were peering out of the airport windows hoping to get a glimpse of the fabled city.
Little did I know, one of the most haunting sights from that trip was right inside the airport. There were guards in that airport carrying machine guns and looking very serious. I remember being terrified. Growing up in suburban Long Island this sight was unnerving. I couldn't imagine living somewhere where this was accepted as a normal sight. The gun toting guards might as well have been hippos in purple tutus.
Now, more than twenty years later, I visit Penn Station and see guards armed with guns once again. Only this time I accept it as normal I actually feel safe now when seeing the sight that terrified me so many years ago.
I visit airports and travelers applaud as military personnel board their planes. Partially because the travelers feel safer, but also because they are thankful for the efforts of these men and women as they work to preserve our way of life.
I listen to friends who talk about fears of travel and never wanting to board a plane again because they fear for their lives. They are accepting fear as part of their lives.
September 11, 2001 brought a new sense of fear to our shores. There is a constant hope in the air that the "good guys" will stay atleast a step ahead of those who want to harm us and destroy our beliefs in and effort to further their own causes.
As the anniversary of the attacks approaches we need to remember those we lost, thank those who helped, but also take a moment to remember what life was like before...
One of the very best tributes we can offer those who perished in the terrorist attacks is to help keep our freedom alive. Having armed guards in Penn station should make us feel safe, but it should also shock us.
