
. A precipitous surprise, Gary’s daughter Sandra, disclosing that she and Jeremy Birzer, would soon be joined in matrimony. Gary was unaware of the seriousness of Sandra and Jeremy’s relationship, the lack of communication between father in California and daughter in Kansas was always exigent, something to be improved on. Jeremy, a family amicus, and Sandi’s brother Rob’s best friend through his proclaiming years of junior and senior high in Anthony Kansas.
. Although living in Harper, Jeremy was deemed special, the Willson’s on many occasions stopping in Harper so he could accompanying them on ventures to Wichita. On one occasion, Gary inviting the youth to join Robert and Sandra, introducing the three to the Wichita Symphony Orchestra at the Century II Concert Hall. Gary was uninsured of their impression, but perceptive the orchestrated classical music was a ruminative experience for the youths. On other occasions, finding Jeremy and Robert accompanying him to Wichita, making a juncture to stop at a certain specialty skateboard shop, the two boys able to satisfy their selective aspirations to garnish their skateboard enthusiasm.
. The elder Willson having acquainted Jeremy’s parents Joe, and Marilyn Birzer, finding them a very congeal couple and appreciative of his advocacy for the boy’s interest. It wasn’t surprising the family found out after the fact, Jeremy and Sandra abstaining from a formal announcement of the wedding, the two affirming a small private service. Jamie Johnson, Sandra’s Kiowa Cousin standing with her and Jeremy’s sister Corrine standing with her brother, the service conducted by Kiowa United Methodist Church’s, Reverend Jack Pilgrim, on Sunday August 5th, 2 thousand one, the couple being joined in holy matrimony, pronounced husband and wife.
. The Tuesday morning of September 11, 2001, was like most mornings for Gary, a wake up shower and shave at 6:15 a m, a cup of coffee and some toast, before leaving for Colony Park, then the phone rang. Gary’s wife Fran having spent the night at his sister Nancy’s in Columbia to start a dog sitting presence, as his mother and sister were about to venture on a vacation later that day. Gary’s mother on the phone, exclaiming “they’re bombing New York City, turn on the TV”. Gary reassuring his mother that in all probability that was not so, but would turn on the news. The television projecting an unreal scene of devastation, something unimaginable, two planes having targeted the preeminent twin towers of the World Trade Center, both upper stories of the two towers in flames. Gary somewhat awe-struck, making a phone call to the nursing facility, giving notice that he would be late for work, and would miss the 9 o’clock department head meeting.
. Seated before the television watching in consternation the events unfolding before his eyes, absorbing what had happened. The first hijacked plane, American Airlines flight 11, departing from Logan International in Boston, having struck the north tower at 8:46 a.m. east coast time. American Airlines Flight 175, from Logan International, its destination also Los Angeles, plummeting into the south tower of the World Trade Center at 9:03 a.m.. Another shocking announcement, American Airlines flight 77 from Washington Dulles Airport to Los Angles, having targeted, and crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m..
. Gary finding the televised live events unbelievable, watching the destruction of the 110 storied monolithic buildings, the World Trade Center, its contents of human life disappearing before his eyes, as the south tower collapsed at 9:59 a.m. Then came word that a fourth plane had been hijacked, flight 93 from Newark to San Francisco, the plane coming down at 10:01 in Somerset County Pennsylvania, the passengers apparently attempting to regain control from the hijackers. At 10 28 the final affliction, the north tower of the World Trade Center falling to earth with the contents of those remaining trapped.
. Viewing these live events were not without consequence, Gary’s inward response was one of witnessing the unconceivable, the realization that a new era of terrorism having prevailed, the once impervious America which he grew up in was now vulnerable to those who espoused its destruction. The events unfolding that morning coming to a conclusion, Gary recognizing his work duties remained, proceeded as most Americans, to fulfilled their workplace obligations, nevertheless the events of September 11, 2001 would remain an indelible inscription forever.
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