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STORIES

Christine Goetz

Veteran

Military Affiliations

  • Veteran Spouse

MY connection to 9/11

  • I was serving in the military on 9/11

Where were you when you first heard about or saw the 9/11 terrorist attacks?

I was casing mail for my route when a co-worker called out to everyone to immediately rally in the break room. The sky was clear blue, a perfect early fall day. What I saw on that TV shook me to the bone. The Twin Towers were under some surreal attack! We huddled closer together to hear and see what was happening, NOW, in real time. Our supervisor appeared with orders for us to return to our routes and get out to the street. I will never forget how quiet a usually noisy Middletown, NJ rush hour morning was. There was not a soul or vehicle on the roads that day or the next couple days. Just the mail trucks where we all conferred that many patrons came to their doors to inquire if we heard any news. Our mayor said our appearance representing our federal systems gave citizens a bit of confidence that the gov’t was up and running. After work that fateful day I ventured to the Atlantic Highlands Marina and was quickly put to work handing out water to terrified folks who made it to the ferry and also drove many to their homes. Middletown lost many of our patrons when the towers went down. The fear and shock in those folks eyes haunt my dreams to this day. I was a reservist during this time, following active service in Desert Storm. Training began in earnest for the missions to come in 9/11’s wake. Thank you.

How did the events of that day shape your life and inspire your service to this country?

I remained in military service until I reached my MRD (mandatory removal date) which was my 60th birthday (12/21/2011). The most important duty I have ever undertaken was my final duty. I was an instructor and observer/evaluator of troops scheduled to deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan and I am proud to state that my team took this mission extremely seriously. We certified units who truly knew their METL. Some units were returned to their home bases to train until each soldier was confident in his individual MOS as well as having the knowledge to take over for a fellow soldier if need be. I am retired from the USPS and the Army now. I am still serving. I volunteer at a local pantry several days a week and have take care of the lawns of eight seniors at no cost to them. God Bless the USA!

What are you excited to contribute to your community, however you define it, for the next 20 years?

Along with volunteering at pantry and landscape care, I am beginning classes preparing me to be a hospice volunteer.

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