Sept. 11: "We Had Survived This Ordeal, A Nation Indivisible"

As the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks approaches, Patch is remembering the day through the eyes of Vienna with a series of memoirs and reflections from local officials, police and fire personnel, veterans and residents of town.

They'll offer a glimpse of what Sept. 11 meant for Vienna and how life here has changed in the decade that followed.

As the series progresses, check

Sept 2, 2011: Councilwoman Carey Sienicki

"It began as an idyllic day. 

The weather was perfect, the bustle of the first weeks of school was over and our first grader and kindergartner were at school for the day.

It was finally a good time for a mother to settle down with longer term projects.  I was entrenched in one of those duties, no seeming connection with the outside world, when my sister, in Atlanta phoned, "Is Dave O.K.?" 

At that time, I thought that quite an odd question, as he had just left hours before for his job at the US Capitol.  I asked, "What is the matter?" and she simply replied, "Watch the news..." 

I saw replays of video feeds from CNN of the World Trade Center and Pentagon being devastated by commercial passenger airlines.  Was this a crazy coincidence or was it the beginning of something that would change our United States? 

I tried to call my husband, but all the phone lines were busy. Finally, I received word he was remaining in Capitol Hill at a friend's home, until we could figure out exactly what was happening.There were reports of Metro and Federal threats in the area. I was just relieved that he was safe despite the chaos.

It was now noon and my daughter's kindergarten bus was due home.  I expected her to bound out of the bus as usual, but to my amazement, her principal from Louise Archer Elementary School first stepped off the bus to be sure our family was safe and my daughter had someone at home (my husband was active duty military at the time). I was comforted knowing we are in a caring community.

I gave her lunch and put her down for a nap, waiting for my son's imminent arrival from school, unable to continue with my normal duties. 

Then I received another call, "Prr-onto" (Hello).  It was Sig.ri Sinicato, our "Nonni Italiani" (adopted Italian grandparents) who do not speak English. [They were] calling from Vicenza, Italy, where we were stationed a couple of years prior to arriving  in Vienna, VA.  They were calling to see if "è tutto a posto" (i.e. we were all O.K.). 

For the third time that day, I was reminded of our humanity, especially being a part of a global caring community. That day demonstrated that the United States of America would be fine, despite horrific actions of a few who inflicted harm on our fellow citizens. While our prayers went out to those who were lost or injured, comfort came from our collective soul, strengthened by our heartfelt connection to family and friends around the world. Patriotism abounded and American flags could be seen everywhere as a symbol that we had survived this ordeal...a nation indivisible."