Reality sets in due to phone calls

By Howard Dean: I had just got out of the Army in May 2001 and was taking it easy after serving my country for eight years.

My parents happened to ask me why I didn't stay in the service, and I said that I had a sickening feeling come over me and decided to get out instead of re-enlisting. When I was in the process of getting out, one of our military police units was alerted to go to Kosovo, so I dodged that bullet.

So after all that, I was back at home in southern Illinois, hanging with friends and family. Months went by, and on that day of 9/11, I was awakened by the phone ringing off the hook. I answered and one of my friends asked me, all in panic, "Do you have to go back?"

I said, "What are you talking about?"

He said, "You didn't hear or watch the TV?"

I said, "No, what is going on?"

Then I turned on the TV, and my mouth just dropped and my heart sank. I really didn't know what to think. After seeing what had happened, I was waiting for that knock on the door or that phone call, wanting me to come back and serve, and I was ready.

My heart and prayers still go out to everyone and the families that were involved with that horrific day.