9/11 Six years later.........

I was 15 years old on November 22, 1963. It was 8:30 PM in Germany where my Dad was assigned. Tim Martin and I were at the Movies. They stopped the film, turned on the lights and a General walked to the movie screen. He said, "The President of the United States has been shot. We are at full alert. Everyone report for duty."

There were crazy rumors. We lived 60 kilometers from East Germany and the Russian Army. I got home and my mother was packing. My Dad was gone. He had given my mother our passports, $500 in cash, and a loaded hand gun. He told her to take us to France, tonight.

My mom was too tough to be scared off easily. We waited and listened to Radio Free Europe and the BBC. Hours pasted and nothing seemed to happen. I fell asleep with my sister. The next morning, we had a new President and my dad came home. He and I unpacked the car and our life went back to what we called "normal'.

I remember that day like it happened yesterday. It was a serious day in my life and in the lives of everyone I knew. I wasn't upset about the man who was shot. I didn't know him. I was afraid for my Dad, my family, and myself.

38 years later. On September 10, we went to Las Vegas for the Food Equipment Show to look at modified atmosphere packaging. At LAX the screener stopped Roger Mucino and I because we were carrying pocket knives. I had never been stopped before. We went back and left our pocket knives in my truck. This was clear foreshadowing of the things to come.

We stayed at the Venetian in Las Vegas. Pam, my future wife, came to stay with me. Jack King and his wife went to dinner with Roger, Pam and me. It was just any other night in Vegas. Pam had to fly to Salt Lake City at 7:00 AM on September 11, so she got up at 5:30 and went to the airport. She call me from the airport to say her flight was canceled. All flights were canceled. She told me to turn on the TV. A plane had just hit the World Trade center in New York.

I got up and called Roger's room. I sat there and watched the second plane hit the second tower live on CNN. At that point, it all came back...Kennedy, my Mom and Dad. I know we had to get out of Vegas and back to my children in Los Angeles. My concern was that this attack was just one of many. Las Vegas may be a target. Los Angeles could be a target too.

We went to the lobby Bar at Cesar's Palace. It was about 8:00 AM. I called Walter Hernandez. I told him we were stranded in Vegas and there were no flights or rental cars. I was worried about my children and potential additional terrorist attacks. Walter said, " I will come and get you".
We walked on the front of Cesar's and hired a cab to take us to the California State line. Walter drove from LA and met us there. We were back home by noon.

My truck was in lock down at LAX. I waited three days before they allowed me to walk into the garage and drive it out. Things returned to "normal"...again. September 11, was another serious day. But again, my concern was not for the people in New York. My concern was for my children, my friends, and myself. No additional attacks happened. My kids were fine. I still owe Walter for coming to get us.

The lesson in both these cases is simple. Be prepared. There are crazy people out there doing crazy things. You can not control the world. Have a plan for yourself and your family. Be prepared for these events. $500 in cash and a hand gun are a good start.