September 11, 2001

On the morning of September 11, 2001 we found out something we did not know about Nigel.

Nigel was getting ready for school with some friends that had stayed the night. They were watching TV downstairs. He hollered for me to come down quickly.

I went down stairs to find the boys glued to the TV. Nigel looked at me and said "The World Trade Center in NY has been hit by terrorists".

I sat next to Nigel and watched with them in horror as the two towers burned. We watched on for what seemed like forever. Without taking his eyes off the TV and at 13 years old he said "I'd give anything to be able to join the Army right now. I'd go over there and kick their ass."

It was then that I found out how patriotic Nigel was and how protective of his country he was. He wanted to fight at 13. How many other 13 year olds would feel that way...and verbalize it? I was so proud of him. In the coming months he was very verbal about support for the war and support for our troops and his total distain for anyone who was opposed to it.