Ten years ago, West Point graduates Cally and Anderson Puckett were stationed at the U.S. Army base at Ft. Stewart, Georgia.
Both 25 and Army captains at the time, they were engaged to be married in July 2002.
But when terrorists attacked the U.S. on Sept. 11, 2001, Anderson Puckett was called into deployment to Kuwait in July 2002, two weeks after their scheduled wedding.
Then, in March 2003, Anderson Puckett’s Army unit (Task Force 1-64 Armor) led the invasion into Iraq and conducted the first two attacks into Baghdad, causing the fall of the regime.
Thirteen months from the time of his deployment, Anderson Puckett returned home. More than a year after their nuptials, he and Cally Anderson finally started their married life together, transitioning out of the Army and moving to California.
They ultimately settled in Healdsburg, where Anderson Puckett is senior operations manager for The couple have two children.
As we approach the 10-year anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, many of us, like the Pucketts, have stories to tell from that time and how it changed our lives.
What's your story?
Many activities are scheduled around the Bay Area and in North Sonoma County to observe the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11.
Cities nationwide are readying remembrance ceremonies and vigils to pay tribute to those who died and suffered losses because of the tragedy.
That fateful day changed the country and many people's lives — it altered reality for citizens, America's political system, the economy and in many ways shifted public policies for us a nation. How did it impact you?
Where were you on 9/11? How do you plan to explain it to your children if they are too young to remember it?
Tell us in the comments, below, or email me at Keri.Brenner@patch.com. We want to hear your story.
If you want to join a national remembrance effort, check out ActionAmerica.com to tell the country how you're taking positive action in Healdsburg. To access Action America, click here.
