A Guest Blog from Maureen Martinez

The following post was submitted by Maureen Martinez.

My Son’s Confirmation Day was Really Mine

By: Maureen R. Martinez, President and Co-Founder of Justice4pakids

As incense filled the air and jubilant singing began, my 11-year-old walked down the front aisle of St Pat’s church in Malvern (PA) with a smile and a white gown. He had worked all year at preparing for this momentous day in his Faith and I could sense his pride as he made sure he bowed at the altar at the exact moment he was instructed to. At the aisle behind him sat my Dad- his sponsor, who also wore his pride on his sleeve. Here was his first grandchild at the age of 11 making the very grown up decision to choose Cat holism as his faith and he had chosen his only living grandfather to carry the responsibility of being the sponsor. I watched their body language, their facial expressions and I thought to myself—“You better watch your own and not ruin this day for your son.” I sat in my pew ready to burst.  Bishop Thomas was the final dramatic entrance in the grand procession — golden staff in one hand while his other hand-made the sign of the cross in the air blessing all of us.

All I could think of was:  “What did you know and when? Which priests have you known that have sexually abused God’s children? Which priests and Bishops have you known that have helped in the cover up? Did you help in the cover up?” I struggled throughout the Mass to keep my thoughts at bay and pay attention when my son’s name would be called. And then it happened. Sheer anger. More anger than when I first found out Father Talucchi was being placed on administrative leave from St. Pat’s, more anger than when I went to my first SNAP Meeting to  learn more. “How in the world can I sit here and allow my son to be confirmed in this church in this faith after all I now know and after I myself am having a hard time calling myself Catholic?” The feelings inside where that of rage and rescue. I wanted to grab my son out of the pew and tell him “You don’t have to do this, let’s wait until you are a lot older to make this decision after you know ALL the sides to the Catholic Church, how they hire lobbyists to fight against Statute of Limitations and how they declare bankruptcy on the eve of civil cases in order to legally freeze their bank accounts.”

The Mass was a blur and before I knew it, it was over and time for pictures with Bishop Thomas. Oh how I wanted to grill him and chew his ear off for a half hour! But there were long lines of people wanting their photo taken with him and I thought that would be unfair.  My Dad was very excited: “We get a picture with the Bishop!” I thought to myself:  “I would rather have my picture with a victim as they are people of true courage.”  At first I told my Dad: “I am not going to get in the picture- you go ahead and get one with him but not me. ““ Why, but why? It’s the Bishop! How could you NOT want a picture with the Bishop?” Hmmm, let me count the ways. My son beckoned me up to the altar. I didn’t want to disappoint him. I go up. I do not offer my hand to be shaken by Bishop Thomas. He senses my stiffness.  “Oh and who are you- welcome and congratulations on your son,” he says.

I look him squarely in the eye: “I am Maureen Martinez, remember my name. Maureen Martinez. It has to do with the grand jury report- just remember my name.”  Now it was picture time. My Dad and son stood on each side of the Bishop, I stood at the end. I put on fake smile and with both arms stiff as boards at my sides and my fists clenched, the camera snapped.

I wasn’t quite sure what I meant  when I told Bishop Thomas to “remember my name.” I thought perhaps maybe he would read a Guest Editorial Column article I wrote called “Where Do We Go From Here?” that was published the day before Confirmation Day in a small Malvern website called Malvern Patch.  Or maybe he would see the letter to my Pastor that was published in the Main Line Suburban Times. Little did I know that my name (and photo) would land on the front page of the Philly Inquirer Oct 3 issue in an article that described  the formation of a grassroots coalition I co-founded with Bob Riley called “Justice4pakids.” Little did I know that I would be asked to MC a press conference in the State Capitol Rotunda, introducing State Representatives who have been true crusaders for YEARS in fighting for better laws to protect children. Or that my name would be all over Bill White’s blog from Allentown’s Morning Call paper regarding the email exchange I had with House Judiciary Chair Ron Marsico who has personally been ensuring bills on SOLs DON’T get put on his committee’s agenda for discussion. I wanted him to remember my name because I knew I was going to DO SOMETHING for these victims because I was so outraged at the scandal, the cover-up and the BAD LAWS in our state I was just beginning to learn about.  I don’t care about Bishop Thomas remembering MY name anymore.  For I am only one person. I want him to remember Justice4pakids, an entire coalition of people from all religions who want better laws to protect kids. There is strength in numbers. I want to challenge him to support our cause in getting the statute of limitations in PA abolished for sexually abused victims. I asked Bishop McIntyre to support us and he told me he could not do that. “Not even as your own person-you are your own man,” I asked. The answer was a resounding “No.”

I have spoken to about 100 victims to date.  More call or email every day, wondering if Justice4pakids could recommend counseling or an attorney or where to donate money to  (Foundation to Abolish Sex Abuse) or how to get involved. They all want to share their story. They need their voices heard in a court of law. They need access to court and not being barred by arcane laws in our state that stipulates by what AGE they have to be to file a civil suit. They need to file suit and if they win they need money for therapy, drug rehab, lost working wages, etc. We are supposed to live in a free country. Not allowing victims to come forward to have their day in court is NOT freedom. Let the judge and jury decide who should win. False accusations are typically less than 2%. When predators are named civilly they are put ON NOTICE. Their names are publically named. In California 300 more predators were publically named once the SOL window legislation was passed. Publically naming predators PROTECTS KIDS.

When Philly Inquirer John Martin interviewed me he said: “What drives you, you work full-time and have 3 kids and a husband and from what I hear from other people you are nonstop with this Justice4pakids-do you ever reach a point where you say-this is enough!” My response was something like- what has happened to the victims I say ENOUGH! My “Enough” point will be when the window legislation bill (878) and abolishing Statute of Limitations (832) get passed.

And you know what? Even when they get passed, it will still not be enough. After better laws, then we all have to work on better education, seminars, prevention and awareness, signs and symptoms to look for. Sex abuse is the biggest health epidemic facing today’s children. It is not obesity (1 in 8). It is not Autism (1 in 70). Next time you are at the movies –before you shove a handful of buttery popcorn in your mouth-take a look around and realize that for every 4 girls in that moviehouse-1 is sexually abused or soon will be. And yet- where is the public discussion about this? Silenced, like the children of an abuser. It is unfortunate that scandals like Penn State and the Archdiocese are going to be what it takes to bring this issue to light. And yet I tell you we have no greater time than now to use this momentum to get the bills passed and to create a stronger message of prevention through PROPER education. I urge you, pray for the victims. Comfort one if you know one. Let YOUR voice be heard that you –like me – have also HAD ENOUGH.

I want to thank a special lady named Sherry who was the first victim I ever met in my life. She was brave enough to share her story with me and educate me about SNAP and the lifelong medical impact of sex abuse. Her story of horrific abuse inspired me to start Justice4pakids. Sherry –Thanks.

Meanwhile, In The Diocese of Scranton…

The Times-Leader is reporting that the Diocese of Scranton has suspended another priest accused of “sexual misconduct” with a minor.  The priest was identified as Thomas Shoback who was assigned as the Pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary in Jermyn, Pennsylvania.

Shoback is the brother of Edward Shoback, a priest who was accused of similar crimes in 2004.  He admitted guilt was eventually defrocked.

As more information becomes available, I will provide updates.

I wonder if the diocese is trying to fly under the radar as the Penn State investigation is still ruling the front page?

Outrage over Joe Paterno

Game day! Today will be the final game at Beaver Stadium for many of the seniors on Penn State’s storied football program. There are a lot of people who are incensed at the thought of the “indignity” of Coach Paterno’s sudden departure without the “well deserved”, Happy Valley send off that should go to the man who, for a career that spanned five decades, espoused victory with honor. Students showed their displeasure at the Board of Trustees firing of Joe Paterno by rioting, overturning vehicles and confronting police. It is to those students that I would like to send this post.

Joe Paterno had a responsibility to take action when he was informed of the actions of his assistant coach. The rape of a 10 year old boy in the football facility was a brutal crime. Coach Paterno reported the incident but he did not follow up to insure that action was taken. In spite of knowing that Jerry Sandusky had raped a child, Coach Paterno continued to served as an honorary trustee for the nonprofit that Mr. Sandusky used to groom victims. JoPa never followed up to insure that other children were not put into harm’s way with this predator.

Had one of the victims been one of Coach Paterno’s grandchildren, I am sure his actions would have been dramatically different. From the moment that the coach had a credible allegation that Sandusky was committing crimes against children, especially rape, Coach Paterno should have done everything in his considerable position of power to protect children from this predator. Coach Paterno’s word reverberated through Happy Valley like thunder. And yet he was silent. Paterno may not be legally responsible for the rapes or assaults on children that came after he had knowledge of allegations. But he is morally complicit, as is every Penn State official that turned a blind eye in the name of Penn State Football. Victory with Honor! Just words, hollow and meaningless, because the man who embodied them was hollow and meaningless in protecting children at risk.

So when you lament the way in which this man was treated and recount his successes on the grid iron and his love for his players and the debt that you believe the University owes him, think for a moment about the ten year old boy in the shower who did not understand why he was being violated in ways that he did not understand. Think about the victims that came after and how their lives were destroyed.

Really, rioting was your way of supporting a football coach? I bet that took a lot of liquid courage! The video I have seen of people with masks and scarves covering their faces as they went on a rampage, confronted police and destroyed property shows just how much cowardice was present in that crowd. Your protests were as hollow and meaningless as the honor of Coach Paterno.

Coach Paterno failed as a coach, and a community leader. He failed as a man. Maybe when the beer and stupidity has left the bloodstreams for those students threatening their own community and those that did take a stand, the enormity of the crimes against these children will come into sharp relief. The pain and the damage that will haunt their lives will far outweigh the meaning of today’s game against Nebraska.

At the risk of alienating two of my siblings who graduated from Penn State, I can only surmise that the faculty, staff, alumni and students who place a higher premium on college football than the protection of children show an incredible lack of moral courage. If this is what Penn State is all about, the rioters on Wednesday night were smart to cover their faces. I would be embarrassed to be associated with that University as well.

“We are Penn State!” Big freakin deal!

A little focus people! Go back to your studies, apparently you have much to learn.

Penn State Trustees to Investigate Sex Crime Case, Really!?

I am not sure if the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is just asleep at the switch or if it is incompetent when it comes to allowing  an institution, in this case, The Pennsylvania State University, to investigate itself.  The Trustees at Penn State are launching an inquiry into the allegations of  sex crimes committed by former Football Defensive Coach,  Jerry Sandusky.

In a statement released yesterday, the Board announced that it would appoint a committee to “undertake a full and complete investigation of the circumstances that gave rise to the grand jury report” at its scheduled meeting on Friday, 11 November.  They also promised swift action.

Why is it that we allow institutions to investigate themselves?  If there is an ongoing criminal investigation, the University needs to cooperate with professional investigators to allow the truth to be discovered.  With all due respect, the Board of Trustees has a vested interest in mitigating the damage to the University’s reputation as well as the reputation of Joe Paterno and the football program in Happy Valley.  It is not in their best interest to allow the full story to come out and negatively impact donations from alumni and patrons of the University. 

There is the additional question of whether the University violated the Clery Act which requires colleges and universities to disclose certain timely and annual information about campus crime and security policies. All public and private institutions of postsecondary education participating in federal student aid programs are subject to it. Under the provisions of the act, Institutions must make timely warnings to the campus community about crimes that pose an ongoing threat to students and employees.  Penn State has obviously failed in this obligation. (More information on the Clery Act is available at the Security on Campus, Inc website.)

 The U.S. Department of Education is charged with responsibility to investigate and enforce the law.  The Department of Education should be investigating this case, not the Penn State Board of Trustees. 

Given the statement of the President of Penn State, Graham Spanier,in which he offered his unequivocal support for his Athletic Director, Tim Curley, and Vice President of Finance and Business, Glenn Schultz,  it is clear that any University run investigation will be designed to avoid further scandal and mitigate damage. It is time for an outside agency with an experienced investigative team to step in and do a complete and unbiased investigation.

The Department of Education and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania  need to step up and run any investigation to determine the full extent of any cover up of crimes committed by Penn State employees.  The University must also clean house of all those you showed bad judgement or aided in the coverup of crimes committed against minors.  If that means that Joe Paterno and University President, Graham Spanier need to go, so be it.

Finally, lets not forget the victims in this case.   A ninth victim came forward yesterday, there are likely to be more.  Mr. Sandusky seems to have been a prolific predator.

This blog fully supports efforts to get Pennsylvania House Bills 832 and 878  brought to the floor of  the General Assembly for a fair vote.  It also supports the organizations that are working hard to see those bills passed and to insure that victims of sexual crimes, children and vulnerable adults, have an avenue to seek justice from the predator that targeted them and the individuals or institutions that protected those predators from being brought to justice.  Jutice4PAKids and FACSA are leading those efforts in Pennsylvania.

UPDATE:  Coach Joe Paterno has announced that he will retire at the end of the season.  He also advised the Board of Trustees not to concern themselves with his status as they investigate.

In Harrisburg, What is Going to Take?

What is it going to take?   Exactly what needs to happen before the people’s representatives in Harrisburg allow a vote on a bill to protect children and vulnerable adults?  The judicial committee sits on its collective hands because of lobbyists for the insurance industry and institutions with a history of protecting sexual predators spend millions to prevent Pennsylvania House Bills 832 and 878 from coming to the floor of the State Assembly for a fair vote.

The latest sexual abuse crisis involving a sexual predator and the powerful organization that sought to coverup his crimes involves the venerated football program at the Pennsylvania State University.  USA Today reported on the former Penn State Defensive Coordinator, Jerry Sandusky, 67, of State College was arrested this past Saturday.  It is alleged that senior officials at Penn State knew of these allegations and failed to report them.  Athletic Director  Timothy Curley and Senior Vice President for Finance and Business Gary Schultz have stepped down in the wake of charges being filed against them.

Mr. Sandusky went on to establish a non-profit organization,  The Second Mile, a charity to help troubled youth, in 1997 and it provided him with “access to hundreds of boys, many of whom were vulnerable due to their social situations,” the grand jury said.

Penn State is going to put its reputation on the line for a bottom feeder like this?  Oh, by the way, legal support will come from the University for Curley and Schultz because the alleged misconduct happened while those two pillars of ethical behavior were performing their official duties as Penn State employees.  The taxpayers and tuition check writers of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania  will be bankrolling the legal teams trying to justify their actions.

Taking a page from the Catholic Church’s Playbook, Penn State’s President, Graham Spanier said that Curley and Schultz have his “unconditional support.”

“I have complete confidence in how they have handled the allegations about a former university employee,” he said, adding that the charges are “groundless.” An amazing statement given that the investigation is still developing.  By giving his unconditional support, President Spanier is diminishing the victims in this case by making such grand pronunciations.  Maybe the shout at the next football game should be “We Are Penn State… And We Are Ashamed!”

President Spanier, I hope that part of the fall out from this case of sexual predation on the campus and the covering up of those crimes by high-ranking university officials will be either your resignation or dismissal from your current position.

My question is, given yet another large and powerful institution and its senior leadership providing cover for a sexual predator in the Commonwealth, why is the legislature continuing to give tacit support to organizations that are putting children and vulnerable adults at risk by not allowing legislation to get to the floor that could help victims and hold predators and their protectors accountable?

How long will the citizens of Pennsylvania allow their lawmakers to be the patsies of the Insurance lobby and the institutions that have supported the predators in their organization as part of their risk management programs?  How long will they allow the chair of the Judicial committee, Representative Ron Marsico to keep legislation from getting a vote? Contact him and  ask him! His email address is  rmarsico@pahousegop.com .  He can also be reached at:

Hon. Ron Marsico
4401 Linglestown Road, Suite B
Harrisburg, PA 17112
(717) 652-3721
Fax: (717) 652-6276

Hon. Ron Marsico
218 Ryan Office Building
PO Box 202105
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2105
(717) 783-2014
Fax: (717) 705-2010

Justice4PAKids and the Foundation to Abolish Child Sex Abuse (FACSA) Press Release

Justice4PAKids and the Foundation to Abolish Child Sex Abuse (FACSA) passed along their latest press release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 7, 2011

Contact:         Maureen Martinez at 610-296-3264 info@justice4pakids.com

                                Tammy Lerner at 610-209-9568 lerner@abolishsexabuse.org

                        John Salveson at 215-8700680 salveson@abolishsexabuse.org

Justice4PAkids and Foundation to Abolish Child Sex Abuse (FACSA) Demand Legislative Action in Wake of Penn State Sex Abuse Scandal!

 

How Many Children Will Be Raped

Before Pennsylvania’s Legislature Acts to Prevent Future Abuses?

 MALVERN, PA- Justice4PAkids and FACSA is demanding that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania enact better laws to protect children from sex abuse predators.  Maureen Martinez, Co-Founder of Justice4PAkids, Tammy Lerner and John Salveson, both of FACSA, want to send a clear message to Ronald Marico, (R-Dauphin County) Chairman of the Judiciary Committee that the committee needs to immediately list HB 832 and 878 on its agenda for discussion and hearings – especially in the wake of the current Penn State sex abuse scandal.

Martinez stated, “When are the legislators going to realize sex abuse is an epidemic in our state and enact the important bills that are n front of them for better protection against predators? The Penn State cover-up of Sandusky is just another example of how this state protects predators, not kids.”

HB 832 and 878 were introduced on March 9, 2011 by Louise Bishop and Mike McGeehan (both D-Philadelphia).  HB 832 would repeal the statute of limitations in civil suits relating to child sexual abuse cases moving forward. HB 878 would provide a one-time, two-year window in which victims could bring a civil action in cases previously barred by current statute.

“Above and beyond justice for victims, these bills are about prevention.  The state has an obligation to implement and enact all possible safeguards, in an effort to ensure that future generations of children are spared the horrors of childhood sexual abuse and its impact, which lasts a lifetime,” stated John Salveson. 

“These bills are about letting victims at least have the CHOICE to have their day in court and being able to publically name their offender without having to worry about defamation. So many victims are over the statute of limitations and not even given the choice to seek justice. Even more alarming, a victim cannot publically name their offender, while perpetrators are still out there in society and seeking new children to harm,” says Martinez.

            Lerner added, “Additionally, our leaders ought to take note that childhood sexual abuse is the second most costly victim crime in the United States and Pennsylvania, second only to homicide.  By taking steps to prevent the crimes from happening in the first place, we will be saving PA tax payers billions of dollars in the long term:  The long term economic impact of CSA to PA is over $1.4 billion, with the immediate impact estimated to be over $138 million per year.  Prevention costs significantly less than treatment.  The fact remains, at the end of the day, you’re either for the protection, health and welfare of children, or you’re not.  So far, Rep. Marsico has demonstrated that he’s not.”

            Justice4PAkids and FACSA is a coalition of child and victim advocates, lawyers, mental health professionals and concerned citizens dedicated to eliminating the statutes of limitations for childhood sexual abuse. This would expose perpetrators and those who harbor them; protect children; give victims an opportunity for justice; save taxpayers money.  

            On Oct 17, the coalition addressed the State Representatives in a press conference and personally hand delivered a petition of more than 1500 signatures supporting bills 832 and 878.

Despite numerous calls, emails, faxes and written letters, no one from Rep. Ron Marsico’s staff has ever stated when or if Marsico will place the bills on his Judiciary Committee Agenda.

Justice4PAkids Letter Campaign Pleas with State Law Makers to Protect Children From Sexual Abuse

While I do not often post press releases, this one from a group trying to get a letter writing campaign going in support of legislation to protect children and vulnerable adults from sexual predators was a good fit with the positions I have taken in previous posts.

HARRISBURG, PA – Justice4Pakids will launch a child sexual abuse advocacy letter campaign to each state legislator beginning on September 26 with subsequent mailings for each week of the term.

Each hand-delivered letter will share the tragic details of one survivor’s experience as well as a plea for the removal the state’s civil and criminal statute of limitations on child sexual abuse.

Justice4PAKids is a newly formed coalition of child & victim advocates, lawyers, mental health professionals and concerned citizens dedicated to eliminating the Pennsylvania statutes of limitations for childhood sexual abuse. This would expose perpetrators and those who harbor them; protect children; give victims an opportunity for justice; save taxpayers money.

“There is no statute of limitations on murder,” says former Philadelphia D.A. Charles Gallagher and group member. “Why should childhood sexual abuse be treated differently? The arguments against it are the same that could be used against murder statutes. They simply don’t hold up.”

House Bills 832 and 878, which were introduced on March 9, 2011 by Louise Bishop and Mike McGeehan respectively (both D-Phila), have been stalled in the Judiciary committee without a hearing. Committee chair, Ronald Marisco (R- Dauphin County) has not presented the bills for a move to the House floor.

For more information, please visit www.Justice4PAkids.com or email info@Justice4PAkids.com.

Tenth Anniversary of 9/11

This post is off topic from the normal subject matter for this blog…  It is my memories of 9/11 at the Pentagon on that morning.

It is hard to believe that it has been 10 years since that brilliant September morning when I walked into the Pentagon to conduct  a briefing that had been postponed twice since earlier in the summer.  It was an incredible morning, clear, cool and unlike Washington in early September.

As I became aware of what was happening in New York , I called back to my office at Joint Forces Command (JFCOM) in Norfolk, Virginia my training started to kick in . I was “battle-rostered” to an organization called Joint Task Force – Civil Support that was assigned the mission of  responding to a Weapons of Mass destruction event and 9/11 was certainly that.  I began to sort out what I would need and how I would get my gear that was always packed for a short notice deployment if we were directed to go to New York to support  recovery operations in New York.   As we stood around the TV in the “C” ring of the Pentagon watching the Twin Towers burning in New York, it was painfully clear that this was an attack and that the day was going to be the beginning of something bigger than any of us had ever comprehended.  At that point it was about 9 am.

I never for a moment thought that within an hour everything would just turn upside down.  I had dinner with my brother and his wife in Springfield, Virginia the night before, this was just another of my temporary duty trips to DC. It was all going out of control.

The Navy Captain  who ran the multinational logistics division of the Joint Staff (J-4) decided to proceed with the meeting at 9:30 .  We were briefing an international agreement with Canada and my counterpart from Ottawa was there.  At 9:30, distracted about what was going on in NYC, we started going through an abbreviated set of slides on the agreement.  Eight minutes later the building shook.  If you have been to or have seen photos of the Pentagon, this is a sprawling stone structure.  The shaking and noise of a Boeing 757 hitting the building was deafening even in the “C” ring conference room I was in.  American Flight 77  plowed through three recently renovated sections of the south-facing exposure of the Pentagon.  It went through the E, D, and C rings with debris actually making it into the B ring.  Because the building was just completing renovations on this section, many of the offices had not been occupied yet.

Personally, the things that come back to me are the smell of the jet fuel burning and the calm during the evacuation.  I don’t know if it was our training or just the nature of the business conducted in that building, but as we poured out of offices and conference rooms into the maze of corridors throughout that building I did not see panic, I did not see chaos.  I saw people moving to exits, helping those that needed assistance, moving with purpose, accounting for office mates and tending to those who were injured.  We evacuated to the river side of the building, a sweeping slope of grass that led down to the roadway that ran alongside the Potomac River with a view of Washington DC to the north. The Joint Staff Personnel accounted for those visiting from other commands and Canada for the meeting.  Some required medical attention but they waited, we knew that there were many who were much worse off that were being taken to the makeshift first aid/triage set up near the “North” parking area.

Many people initially did not leave the grounds.  They were looking for friends and for a way to help.  Many of us went back into the building to find those who could not get out on their own.  It did not matter if you wore a military uniform, civilian clothes, or the uniform various police, fire, and emergency medical services of the jurisdictions responding to the scene of the attack,  many people were trying to get back in.  Whether they were going to do search and rescue or start the process of replying to the insult the country had suffered, these people were not running away, they were beginning to rally.

There were setbacks, the fuel tank for the helicopter  pad, very close to where the 757 hit, exploded from the heat of the fire nearby.  The smell of jet fuel burning was thick in the air.  It is my most powerful memory of that morning.  I don’t know how all of you remember it.  But that morning moved like someone had pushed some universal fast forward button.  It took hours to get a phone call through to let my family know  I was uninjured.  But it felt like seconds.  When they finally released us after they had accounted for us, I stood watching the smoke pouring out of the building, sounds of helicopters, emergency equipment, cars on I-395 fleeing DC and North Dakota Air National Guard F-16′s flying overhead added to the cacophony that overwhelmed me.

I checked out of my hotel in Crystal City late that afternoon, I had to get back to Norfolk to get to work preparing the forces that the President would task to be the vanguard of our national response.  The hotel lobby was full of people who had been at  Reagan National Airport awaiting their flights out.  With all flights cancelled and American airspace closed, these people were seeking lodging.  The Hilton was happy to have the room back and I found myself getting on I-395 in the late afternoon expecting to crawl through rush hour traffic.  I was amazed at the lack of traffic.  People had evacuated in the late morning and early afternoon and now the highways were eerily quiet.  I hurtled south (way too fast that evening) to Norfolk on an all but empty I-95 South  and I-64 East.  America had gone home to watch the horrific events of the day and to gather their families as we all had our realities altered irrevocably.

As I headed south I saw emergency vehicles, cranes and military vehicles heading north.  I have traveled that road between Washington and Norfolk hundreds of times.  I have never made the trip as quickly as I did that evening.

I went home to let my family see that I was uninjured and to change out of the uniform I had worn that day.  It was filthy, covered in dust, dirt, and sweat.  I changed into a clean set of BDU’s (battle dress uniform) and tossed my khakis in the garbage can in the driveway.  I saved my color devices, I wore my father’s  silver oak leaf  (rank insignia for a Navy Commander),  I could not part with that.  I saved my Pentagon visitors badge, with the events of the day, I neglected to turn it back in as I left the building.  Everything else was tossed.

By 2100 (9 p.m.) that night I was in the joint operations center of JFCOM.  Information was pouring in and orders were being sent out.  As the Joint Staff recovered and came back on-line we began the process of managing the force to support whatever action would come at the order of the President.

When I woke on the morning of 9/11/2001 all I wanted to do was get through the briefings and the meetings that were scheduled.  I was looking forward to watching an episode of Band of Brothers on HBO at the hotel that night.  Instead, I got to see a band of brothers and sisters rise from the burning remains of the south end of the Pentagon.  The sights, sounds and smells of that morning are as vivid to me today as if it had happened yesterday.  As I am writing this I can see it is just after 9 am, almost ten years to the minute of the plane hitting the building.   It is all just a little overwhelming.

I had a lot of support that morning.  My brothers were on Instant Messenger checking in with my wife.  News and information was moving online because the cell phones were clobbered.  For hours that morning my cell phone was useless to me. They passed the word when I finally got through and saved me from having to make calls while my attention was elsewhere.  They would rally around me again 18 months later when I deployed for the invasion of Iraq, on very short notice, in March 2003.   I know I can count on all  of them in any crisis because they have already shown me that they had my back for the big ones!

Enough of this for now.  It will be a long day for many.  Please remember those who were innocently taken, the ones that went into the buildings and fought back against those who would do us harm and paid the dearest cost on the altar of liberty.  Remember the men and women who are on watch somewhere in the world, many are still in harm’s way, so that we can sleep peacefully in our beds each night.

Hug your kids, don’t miss a chance to tell someone you love them.  We have all seen that the world can turn on its head without warning.

Rolling Stone Article

A fast post this morning on an article that appears in the most current edition of Rolling Stone Magazine.

The article is about the organized coverup of sexual crimes committed in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.    I will have more to say about this later.  You should read the article!

I found out about this latest review of the crisis of sexual crimes committed by Roman Catholic Clergy and the coverup of those crimes by the hierarchy of the Catholic Church in a blog by Susan Matthews , Catholics4Change.

I have to get to work, more on this later.  You have a reading assignment!

 

 

Many changes…

This is a blogospheric (a new word is born) place holder. 

The last few months have seen many changes in almost every aspect of my life.  I will probably get to most of them in the coming weeks.  I have some things to say, some things to think on and some goals to accomplish and I will use this blog to help me sort it out. 

For some reason, even though I have not posted regularly in the past few months, the number of readers coming to the blog has not really fallen off.  I don’t really understand that, but that will probably sort itself out. 

I am going to start taking a separate tact here for a while.  It will focus on surviving and not being a victim.  I will be working on things to help me put baggage down and move on.  I am widening the aperture to get a bigger perspective.  No longer will I be throwing “blog rocks” at stained glass windows. although I will be happy to point out the folly and failure of the Catholic’s hierarchy. 

There is a fork in the road and I am taking it (Yogi Berra will forgive me).