September 11, 2001

Today will be filled with tributes regarding the events of September 11, 2001. It would have been, regardless of the number of years. But anniversaries ending in "5" and "0" always attract the most attention. I wonder if the news programs and semi-fictional documentaries on tap today are truly meant to honor what happened, or if they are simply produced to garner coveted television ratings that determine advertising rates. Call me cynical.

For my part, 9/11 was a very memorable day. It began with me sitting at my desk in my office at Rockwell Collins ... wearing a suit. At 11 a.m. that morning, I was scheduled to drive out to the nuclear power plant in Palo for an interview with the Nuclear Management Co. The corporate communications director position was open, and I was applying.

Of course, I spent the balance of the morning trying to find an internet news source that would load into my browser -- internet traffic brought everything to a standstill that day. Up and down the halls at work those who had radios were turning them up so all could hear. At a company like RC that makes communications equipment for airplanes, the news of the day carried long-lasting ramifications. It wasn't just big national news -- it was news that impacted the company right on the bottom line.

When I arrived at the power plant, I had to wait at the gate for 45 minutes. Security at power plants went into high mode once the plane crashes were identified as terrorism. When I was finally cleared to enter the plant, the interview was the last thing on everyone's mind. Those that interviewed me came and went freely, and whispered to each other while I answered their questions. They apologized for having other things to attend to. I understood. When I left the plant, there was no question in my mind that I wasn't going to be called back -- it would have been better had we simply rescheduled. It was, and still is, the only job I have interviewed for that was not offered to me.

Two months later, I began to talk with my dad about a career with New York Life.

Much will be said today about how the world is so much different post 9/11 then pre 9/11. I understand that point of view, but I don't share it. The world is about the same now as then. It is unfortunate that many men and women have died in recent years as a result of the United States war on terror. And it is somewhat disconcerting to always be reminded that terrorism can strike anytime and anywhere.

If 9/11/01 proved anything, it was that we live in a world that is temporary, and that life itself is temporary. It demonstrates that bad things happen to good people. It reminds us that even on a sunny fall day when all appears good, there are unseen forces at work.