(This article was written by Todd's mother for the local newspaper on the 10th anniversary of 9/11).
Thinking back on the days prior to 9/11/01, it is almost as if it was a time of innocence for our country. With the exception of a few reprieves here and there, we have always lived with wars or the threat of wars. But, for probably the average citizen, the thought of being attacked on our own land, with thousands of civilians killed, was something we did not seriously consider or worry about. Our nation was too big, too strong, too mighty. Then in a matter of moments, the unthinkable happened. We all watched in helpless horror as our fellow citizens were killed in front of our very eyes from an enemy that some never imagined was such a threat to us.
After the initial shock of it all began to subside, something incredible began to happen. A display of patriotism surfaced in our country that was said to have not been seen since WWII. On 9/12/01, our military recruiting offices were deluged with people wanting to enlist. American flags began to fly from many homes and cars, people displayed bumper stickers supporting our troops, many took the time to stop and thank individual service members - wishing them well, and tears would fall, unashamedly, from people’s eyes during the National Anthem. We were proud of our troops and proud to be an American! What had been comparatively petty grievances and politics were put aside. People seemed to care about others. Our way of life, our sense of security, and the future of our children became a real and serious threat. We went in preservation mode and committed ourselves to a common cause of seeing our enemy brought to justice. We were a united people.
However, there would be a price to pay in accomplishing this goal. Many people’s lives would sadly never be the same, and many lives would be lost in the search for justice. Shortly after seeing the planes hit the towers, it did not take long for the realization to hit me that our nation would need to avenge the deaths of these innocent lives and that would mean war. I thought then of my own son, Todd, who had joined the Marines in July of 2001. He was in still in Boot Camp at Parris Island, S.C. I wanted desperately to talk with him and find out what was happening there. But, all communications are cut off from the outside world as the Marine Corps molds a young person into becoming one of the Few and the Proud. With the exception of one brief phone call, we did not see or talk to Todd until we saw him at his graduation which was 3 weeks after 9/11. When I asked him what he knew about the events of that awful day, he replied, “Oh yea, I remember hearing something about that.” The only reason he knew anything about the terrorist attacks at all was because some of the Marine recruits had to go home for funerals of loved ones who had perished on that day. I shook my head in disbelief that someone whose life was about to change forever, because of the events of that day, knew so little about it. I had saved a few magazines and newspaper clippings for him about 9/11. He was so eager, so young, only 18 yrs old, having enlisted right after high school.
The atmosphere was electrifying and filled with anticipation at the Marine Corps base, which was on high alert, as families gathered to watch the graduation of over 1,000 Marines from Boot Camp. Many parents watched with pride and apprehension as they performed their drills in unified perfection. Everyone cheered and you could hear an occasional Ooh-Rah! However, I couldn’t help but wonder with apprehension what the fate would be of these young men and women as war was then imminent. Little could I have known at that time, that my own son would be the first casualty in his Battalion during this war some 3 years later.
Todd had said that being a Marine was what he was to do with his life and the events of 9/11 only seemed to further compel him to do his best. He never wanted to be bragged about though, and seemed a little embarrassed by the attention he received as a member of the military at that time. He was just doing what he had been trained to do.
Todd was easy-going, but could have a stubborn streak. He was very determined when he wanted something, having earned 2 black belts by the time he graduated from high school. However, he had a very non-threatening nature and had a way of making things seem ok. He loved his family, his friends, his fiancée and God, and he was loved by them. His Marine buddies stated in his eulogy that his life was filled with happiness. He also filled other’s lives with fun and happiness with his presence. Todd got along well with others and tried his best to see that those he cared about got along. Although he was a peacemaker, his mission in life eventually became to go to war. We figured if anyone can make it back home, he could. He was tall and strong, well-trained, confident, and seemingly invincible. He also was gentle, loving, and kind but tough as any Marine Scout Sniper could be. He was often considerate of others. Even right before deploying to Iraq, he wasn’t thinking of himself. Sensing that he would not be returning home, he asked someone to “look out for my family.”
I recall reading about a young man from Todd’s Battalion who had written a letter to his mother shortly before he was killed. In his letter, he asked simply, “remember me.” For someone who has made the ultimate sacrifice, I believe that is so little to ask. I know we will never forget. HIs absence from us will be felt for the rest of our lives. But, if his life, and death, has helped make our country a safer place to be, if he in some way has helped to deter the threat of terrorism in the world, I believe that it has not been in vain.
