Impactful Events in History

Hello All,

I just could not seem to write about September 11, 2001 last week. Maybe I just had to get through last weekend’s events. It did make me think about how many impactful events have occurred during my lifetime and where I was at the time – and how they shaped my life. Each of you has had similar experiences – though some of you are too young for all of mine! Events that you remember vividly where you were and what you were doing.

John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963 at 12:30 p.m. (Central time). I had just turned 7 a few weeks earlier. I knew something had happened because my teacher at school was so upset – but didn’t know why until I got home. No radio or television stations broadcasted the assassination live – mostly because some of the reporters were well behind the motorcade, while the majority were waiting at the Dallas Trade Mart for JFK’s arrival. Certainly unlike how it would have been reported today! The news that night was only about this – watched on our black and white TV (color TVs weren’t as popular then and were way more expensive until the 1970s!) and reported by Walter Cronkite – probably to this day one of the most trusted broadcasters ever. My mom and dad were sad. I understood the concept of death then. I certainly didn’t understand the historical or political implications until I was much older.

On July 20, 1969 at 4:17 p.m., Neil Armstrong walked on the moon – fulfilling one of JFK’s visions. We were definitely at home crowded around the TV! “One giant step…..” My dad worked at NASA and had met these men – so there was such a sense of personal investment and pride. It showed what could be done with a dream and conviction! It taught me the value of hard work and effort through watching my dad. And how cool was the moon! We swore we could see them up there that night.

I wasn’t even a gleam in anyone’s eye at the beginning of the Vietnam War, because it started in 1955! But I was there for the end, for the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975 – a senior in high school. Yep – the years of peace and love – of the draft and protests. I don’t remember nearly as much about the war as I do about how badly our soldiers, our important military members, were treated when they came home. People didn’t support the war – nor did they support the brave military members, who had sacrificed so much. The soldiers were booed and taunted and jeered and spit on. It taught me that we must absolutely value the people who put their very lives on the front line to keep us safe. That has certainly carried over to how I support and how I believe we need to support all of the front line people today who rush in and hold the line!

I was taking care of patients in ICU when the Challenger exploded. All of the patients who were alert enough to watch TV were glued to the sight – and so were all of us in between the delivery of tasks, medicines and comfort. It was the trip of a lifetime for Christa McAuliffe, scheduled to be the first teacher in space – women were watching with awe at this achievement – and then shock and disbelief. Life is short – never forget to enjoy the day – we never know when it will be our last. We never know when we, too, will be committed to the stars.

Hurricane Katrina in August of 2005 reminded me of the power of Mother Nature – and, that no matter what, we must plan for emergencies. The pure devastation, the loss, the sense of powerlessness and hopelessness. This hurricane was the one that truly drove home to me the importance of emergency preparedness for hospitals. We always did exercises and tabletop drills, but we didn’t think of every terrible event and consequence of actions and/or inactions. If you have never read Five Days at Memorial written by Sheri Fink – then do so. It is a gut-wrenching account of what the city and hospitals went through during Katrina – the true life and death decisions that needed to be made – and the issues and troubles that occurred in the immediate aftermath and later, including the legal impacts. You will never look at emergency preparedness the same way.

September 11, 2001 was a gorgeous day…..until it was not. This time my hospital was about an hour away from D.C. and over 50% of the community commuted to the city and immediate surroundings to work. I had employees with spouses, children, friends and neighbors who worked at the Pentagon. As you can imagine it was such a scary time for them – and heartbreaking for everyone. People couldn’t be reached to be sure they were okay. No one knew the extent of injuries or loss of life. At the same time, our hospital was close enough that we also needed to prepare for potential patients. Staff busily prepared – while keeping one eye on the television and one ear towards the phone praying it would ring. We didn’t know if we would be taking care of family or friends – but we knew we needed to do our jobs. Don’t stay mad with anyone. Never forget to say I love you.

January 6, 2021. My method of learning about things has certainly dramatically changed from 1963! My cell phone blew up – news alerts were flying across the computer. The riots at the Capital were so personal for me. I think I have always taken for granted our democracy. I won’t anymore. It has awakened in me a desire to be even more informed, to have a stronger voice, and to never forget to vote.

I hope I have more years to witness events – though I fervently pray they are more positive and celebratory than tragic. Just think, today and years from now you will look back at how many events you have witnessed, or been part of, or helped people through (including this pandemic). You will be able to say “I remember when”. Each one of them will make you think differently. Each one of them will shape you in both subtle and overt ways.

Phyl