For Project 2996
A little over 8 years ago, if you lived in the Warwick, Rhode Island area and had to go to the Emergency Room at Kent County Hospital, chances are, you may have been greeted by a smiling Carol Bouchard. I imagine Carol would, in a moment of your discomfort or great physical need, do her best to get you care as quickly as possible.
I imagine, also, Carol coming home at night, sharing a meal with her husband Fred. Laugh about something funny that may have happened that day, or quietly dream with him about plans for the coming months, or years. One of those plans she had was to go to Vegas with her friend, a decision that was difficult for her, given her fear of flying.
I imagine when she got on board American Airlines Flight 11 at Logan International Airport, that, despite her fears she was enjoying life, and looking forward to whatever the future might hold.
Unfortunately, after only an hour or so of being in the air, Carol, along with 75 other innocent people, were robbed of their chance to live out their dreams, and their plans, as their airplane was hijacked and driven into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, thus beginning a day filled with nightmares and grief.
To many, including myself (before today), Carol was just one face among a sea of faces in every 9/11 memorial tribute montage. But, to her husband, Fred, and to her other, many loved ones, Carol was someone who was stolen from them. A wife. A sister. A daughter. A friend. That smiling secretary who greeted so many at the desk of the Kent County Hospital ER, who brought comfort to those who needed it most, was gone, in the blink of an eye.
It's on this day that, instead of imagining Carol and what she did day to day, what she dreamed of and planned to do with her life, I honor her memory, by saying that she won't be forgotten.
Not today. Not every other day. Not Ever.
Hat tip: This site and This site.
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