I joined the Cougarboard on September 9th, 2001.

Two days later, on a very clear and beautiful morning I arrived at Boston's Logan Airport. I was flying from Terminal B (American and US Air). I was flying to Philly to connect to a puddle jumper to rural VA. I was working for Bain Capital (Mitt's old firm) and we were flying in to evaluate a business and management team.

For those that travel frequently, it was just as any other flight. Nothing occurred out of the ordinary. My boarding time was 7:15am at Gate B17. We boarded the plan and left the gate on time. I suspect that we took off around 8:00 to 8:10. Which likely placed us on the tarmac between two of the hijacked flights. We flew uneventfully over Long Island toward Philly. I remember looking out the window and seeing Manhattan. It was a clear beautiful day. I saw the Manhattan skyline. I estimate that we passed New York and continued on to Philly just minutes prior to the first impact.

As we neared Philly, we went into a holding pattern as we prepared to land. Nothing new or unusual about this, I’ve been in a holding pattern many times before. The pilot then gave the flight crew the four urgent beeps. The purser (number one flight attendant) spoke with the pilot and then hung up the phone. The pilot immediately came on to the intercom and informed us that we would be landing as soon as possible. The plane then banked and descended as rapidly as I’ve ever experienced a commercial plan to descend. It was if the pilot wanted us on the ground immediately.

We landed uneventfully and pulled up to the gate. As soon as we were parked, the pilot came on the intercom and informed us that someone had crashed a plane into the World Trade Center in New York. I thought "Great; some idiot crashed his Cessna into the World Trade Centers. Moron."

We were walking down the terminal to our connection, and noticed everyone in a bar on the side watching the TV. We poked our heads in to see what they were watching. I saw the first tower burning, and thought my gosh, that’s a lot of smoke. While standing there I saw the second impact by the other airplane. The crowd stood there in stunned silence. The greatest thing I am thankful for that day (other than not being on one of those doomed flights) happened next. I was able to call my wife, and contact her immediately. She was unaware of the situation and I told her to turn on the TV. I am very grateful that she didn’t have to worry, even for a moment, if I was on one of those planes. She knew that I was safe. I then worried about my sister; she is a Flight attendant for American Airlines based in LA. She liked to take the long trip to Boston. The telecast suggested that one of the planes was an AA plane. I was able to awake her from her bed and tell her to turn on the TV. I was relieved to hear her safe as well. Shortly thereafter, the airport announced that the FAA had grounded all aircraft until 6:00PM.

We realized that we were not going to make it to our meetings and determined how we could get home. We first thought of the trains but quickly came to the conclusion that if the airlines were closed the trains would follow very shortly. It appeared that everyone in the airport had a similar thought process because there was a mad rush to the rental car counters. We were fortunate to get a Dodge Neon. It was probably because we had four people in our group. If I had been alone, I don’t think I would have gotten a car.

We got our car and started to drive from Philly to Boston. We decided to take the “long way” home and stay well away from NYC. I can remember the “fog of war” and confusion from that day. As I drove we listened to the radio and heard the reports of what had happened. The WTC had fallen, The Pentagon had been hit. We heard reports of snipers in downtown Philly. We heard reports of attacks in California. The drive home was very emotional and intense. We arrived back in Boston about 7PM and I was quite glad to make it home.

I realize that I was very lucky that day. I was lucky to be on a short flight and in a smaller aircraft with less fuel. I was at Boston Logan airport on 9-11-2001. Same terminal, same hour, same tarmac. I flew over Long Island and looked at the skyline of NYC minutes before it would be changed forever. I could have seen or brushed shoulders with a terrorist and I wouldn’t have known it.

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-BostonCougar (Who has recently moved to Alpine, UT)

People generally live up to the expectations placed upon them. I expect Excellence, Sportsmanship, and a National Championship every year. To expect anything less would be to give up the fight before the first volley is fired.