Many have stories of September 11th. As the anniversary of this event passes year by year, I share the story of the two bassets that were in our Family Crisis program and reunited with their military dad. This year I am going to share the story of "What I was doing on September 11th". I think you may see it has justification being posted here.
Knowing that a basset rescue ranch was desperately needed, I had left the City and rented a property for a year. Could I live in the last area of A2 zoning in Los Angeles? Thus I was living in Palmdale on a rented acre of land and going through "Flat Lander Syndrom" at the time. In the wee hours of September 11th I was in my van, riding with a beautiful lug of a hound - Mick to the set of the first season of a show called "Scrubs". Mick and I were to be in a dream sequence where a dog show was going on. I am rather fussy when doing film or print work and will not put a less than breed standard on camera - Mick was a special case - one that Sue Shoemaker had asked me to help with, and he was living with me at the time.
Driving from Palmdale to the set in North Hollywood entailed my driving on the 14 freeway. Call time on set was 7 a.m., and thus I left Palmdale at 5 a.m. knowing Los Angeles traffic would be a parking lot. As we drove onto the 14 freeway, cars were literally standing still, so I turned on KNX 1070 to hear the traffic update. I immediately exited the freeway on ramp and took a side road, Sierra Highway.
KNX was talking about a plane crash into the Tower. My mind was numb as I wondered how in the world an air controller could allow this to happen. The side road was moving, and thus 55 MPH was achieved, as I half listened to the radio, crooning to Mick the Basset we were making good time.
Then it happened.
The announcer started screaming "Oh my god - another plane!" and with total horror I listened as the second tower was hit. In my mind I knew at that moment we were under attack. My mind reeled and the tears started - I hit the brakes HARD and spun out, hitting soft dirt on a side turnout I finally parked the van. Shock. Disbelief. I climbed into the back and uncrated Mick, cuddling and hugging him dearly. Tears unchecked - the world had just gone upside down.
September 11, 2001.
The road I spun out and was parked on is what today is the turn off to Daphneyland.
The tragedy of 9/11 I never saw coverage of - I was on the roads until 11 a.m., no other vehicles in sight - no air craft. Mick and I traveling back from the set where we had shared the news of the attack - the shoot was cancelled and filmed another day - the return trip was so very eerie - no cars, no traffic on the streets of Los Angeles nor the Air. The world forever changed.
To those whom lost their lives - candles burn here at Daphneyland in your memory - to honor your lives, and those who love you eternally and their loss. For the K9 units and military personnel - the first responders and hero's of 9/11 - and for all the troops.
I will never forget.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x-kTEE19BU
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