I’ll say my piece, then shut up.

How did the events of that terrible day change me?

Not as much as you might think.

Due to my own past I was well aware of the dangers imposed by any number of extremist groups. The one headed by Bin-Laudin at the head of that list. I also was aware that there had been a number of studies done on suppositions of terrorists using civilian planes as crude substitutes for precision guided cruise missiles. Which had been dismissed out of hand due to the fact Western cultures simply can't accept such 'insanities'. Stultified mentalities refusing to consider any fact that didn't fit their tidy world view.

That said, I watched with horror as the Towers fell.

Even though the right side of my brain knew it could be far, far worse. Taking into consideration the site of impact, penetration angles, construction methods used in the Towers. Had the impacts been lower, at a steeper angle, the buildings would not have pancaked, they would have fallen sideways. Given the population densities of NYC, the toll could well have been tenfold higher.

The left side screamed at the senseless slaughter. Thinking of those above the impacts who had but two choices. Burn, or jump.

And I was light years beyond angry. I doubt the English language has words for the depths of that cold fury.

Not at a Nation, not at a Religion, not at any specific ethnic group.

At the planners, financiers of those who perpetrated the event.

Also, at those who are charged with the admittedly dreary, thankless task of keeping such events from occurring.

I am proud of our reaction in one way. We could have turned any number of Nations suspected of being involved into a very large, self illuminated, parking lot paved with green glass. And we didn't, instead our first efforts were focused, precise, and were working well until someone high up decided to let it slide in favor of his own personal agenda. Which I initially agreed with, and have admitted publically was in grevios error.

As time passed my anger cooled into simmering resignation.

Because it will happen agin, next time it might be far, far worse.

I was well aware of the fragility of life, learning that harsh lesson in a time and place of misery and suffering. And was well aware of the failings of all those Alphabet agencies who’re supposed to be watching our six.

So, all in all, how have I changed?

Not really that much.

Knowing that our ‘Leaders’ still haven’t gotten a clue, the public hasn’t taken the lessons of that day seriously. American foreign policy is still slanted toward what gets us what we want short term. Not what we, and the World need long term.

I look at my grandchildren and wonder how bad it’s going to be when they’re my age.

And I’m afraid.