Where was I...

Where was I on 9-11-01?
I was in the Marine Corps, in Camp Pendleton California.
We had just arrived at the football field for our morning PT (physical training) session which that morning was going to be a game of flag football.
One of the guys mentioned that he had heard something about a plane crash in New York, and might have mentioned that it was the World Trade Center, although I had no idea what that was. I have never been to New York, and didn't really know much about it other than the Statue of Liberty and what not.
I remember clearly that in my mind at that moment I visualized a small airplane, like a 2 to 4 person plane accidentally crashing into a building, and it not being a very big deal.
I don't remember exactly what happened after that, but at some point, I left the football field, and walked by the lounge (where the only tv with Cable was), and couldent help but notice that there was an unusually large group of people watching the tv. I think that was the first time I saw the video of the first Jet crashing into the tower.
The next thing I clearly remember about that morning is that I went to my truck and turned on the radio. I liked to listen to Howard Stern in the morning whenever possible, and I thought I would go see what he was saying about what was going on. This was before the second plane crash, and I sat there listening while most of the events that morning transpired.
The thing that was the most frightening for me was that I was leaving for home the very next Monday, and was not returning. I was to be on "leave" (vacation) for the next two months, and then was to be honorably discharged.
I remember sitting there thinking how this was war, and I was in the Marine Corps, and I was going to be involved.
For the next four years (I had four years left on my contract as a Reserve) I wondered every day whether I was going to get the call, and was going to be shipped off to Iraq.
As most of you already know, that never happened, and I have very mixed emotions about that. I wont really get into it, but just know, as a Marine, I feel like it is my responsibility to be over there with my "brothers". It is a strange thing to feel those emotions, and also feel good that I am able to live the life I now have, as I surely would not be able to do if I had gotten the "call". When I see the photo of a Marine I served with on that list of those killed in the war, I feel like, well,... I cant really describe it more than just a mix of relief and failure, at the same time.
Anyway, I have gotten a bit off topic now, so I need to conclude.
Some of the memories of that day have faded from my mind now, but others I am sure never will. We are no closer today to the end of this war then we were when it started, and it may get worse before it gets better, but I know someday when I am old, I will look back and remember... I was there, and I.. we made it.