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Where Were You?

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 3, 2008

Approaching soon is Dec. 7, the anniversary of the morning aircraft and midget submarines of the Imperial Japanese Navy began a surprise attack on the United States. Our forces at Pearl Harbor appeared to be utterly unprepared, and the attack immediately drew the United States into World War II. Many seniors remember exactly what they were doing then, and during other such life-changing events.

Pearl Harbor

On Dec. 7, 1941, Tom asked Wilma, hoping she'd say no, if she wanted to take the baby with them to the park. Since their daughter had arrived, Tom and Wilma had very little time to themselves. This Sunday was an opportunity to have some time alone. Wilma left the 6-month-old baby with her grandmother.

"Wilma, set a can on that tree stump. I want to show you how good I am with my new 22 bolt-action rifle." As can after can flew off the stump, Wilma asked, "When's my turn?"

"Wait 'til I miss, then you can try your hand." Finally, Tom missed a can. "Okay, I'm setting up three cans for you and running for cover." Just then a man came hurrying across the field, heading toward them.

Breathlessly the man shouted, "The Japs have bombed Pearl Harbor. You'd better get home. I bet we're going to war." Back home, Wilma cradled her tiny baby Rosemary in her arms and wondered what kind of world this was going to be for her. Rosemary's father Tom, not wanting to be drafted, went down to the recruiting station and signed up for the Navy's Officer Candidate School.

The Assassination of JFK
"You're doing a great job, Rosemary. I think you'll definitely make a good teacher." Mrs. Hull was my supervisor, and I was in awe of her. I learned so much during my months of student teaching under her watchful eye. "Are you going to the teacher's lounge now during your free period?"

I begged off, telling her I was going to the restroom. I proceeded down the hall, made a brief stop at the restroom, and then walked down the stairs into the boiler room. "You guys are swell to let me smoke down here."

"We're always glad to have a pretty gal down here in the dungeons with us. What does old lady Hull think about your coming down here to smoke?" When I explained that she didn't know where I disappeared to, one of the guys said, "No, I doubt if she's ever had a cigarette, or a drink of booze for that matter."

The head janitor broke in. "Quiet, you guys. There's a special announcement on the radio. They're interrupting the music." In an excited voice, the announcer said, "John F. Kennedy has been shot. I repeat -- the president of the United States has been shot. This is dreadful; this is terrible! Just moments ago our reporter on the scene called in and said that the car in which the president was riding sped away from the scene, presumably going to the hospital."

"Oh, my God, I can't believe it! Who would shoot the president?" I knew I had to leave the boiler room and get to my next class, but somehow I realized that I, and the entire nation, would never be the same.

Sept. 11

"Good morning. My name is Rosie Clifton, and I'm calling for Aprimo, Inc. Would you be so kind as to tell me the name of your director of marketing? My company has a new software product, and we want to send some literature to him or her." I was working at the at-home part-time job that helped me ease into retirement.

"His name is Donald Petree, and his title is actually Chief Marketing Officer." As I asked to verify his address, the gal on the other end of the line in New York City shouted, "Oh, my God! Oh, my God! A plane just hit one of the World Trade Center towers! I saw it out my window! Oh, no, what a horrible accident. I've got to hang up now and see if anyone else saw it. Good-bye." The line went dead.

I just sat there for a moment or two. Although I doubted it would be on TV yet, I was surprised to find that it was. I sat transfixed as they played the crash into the tower over and over.

I woke up my husband, and we both watched in horror as the second plane crashed into the World Trade Center. With the news of the plane crashing into the Pentagon, we knew something horrific was happening.

We watched the TV coverage for three weeks and cried every day. We cried for the horror of it, the great loss of life, the grieving families, the destruction of two indestructible towers, the tremendous rescue efforts, and the gigantic threat to our nation's security. Most of all, though, we cried because we knew we, along with all Americans, would never be the same, never view our lives and our country in the same way again.

These are my recollections of where I was when three tragedies occurred. One occurred when I was a newborn; one, when finishing my undergraduate degree; and one, starting my retirement in Florida. Many years separate the events; nevertheless, all had a profound effect on me.

Rosie Clifton is the author of "Kissing Lots of Frogs, a Long Journey to Love." She may be reached through her Web site at rosieclifton.com.

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