We always said that if something “bad” happened and we were separated, the Mad River Valley was where we would meet.
We began coming to the Mad River Valley from our home in New Jersey in the early 1980’s. After spending so much time in Vermont, most of our friendships wound up being centered here. We lived busy hectic lives and both worked in a heavily populated area and always knew that disaster, whether man-made or natural, could occur. We always said that if something “bad” happened and we were separated, the Mad River Valley was where we would meet, knowing that we had friends waiting to take us in but hoping it would never come to that. Fast forward to 9/11. Mark is in Maplewood, New Jersey, and is an EMT prepared for the worst, and it is eerily quiet at our home which is pretty much in the flight path of Newark Liberty Airport. I am in Manhattan, not sure how, when, or if I will get home, glad to be alive but afraid to hear about friends and colleagues I know were in the Towers We were grateful to be reunited later that night, but it was obvious to both of us that our lives had changed forever. Although there was sadly little to do for EMS rescue the actual day, Mark was able to get into the WTC site several days following, to help with recovery efforts and support other rescue workers. It took a couple of years to figure out, but we decided to sell our home, pack up our belongings and dogs and move to the very place we promised to meet "if something bad ever happened" here in Vermont, and never looked back. We understand that Vermont Air Guardsman "Bear" [Lt. Col. Barent Rogers] was piloting the very first jet to enter New York City airspace on that day and we welcomed the sight and sound of his F-16. Hearing the Vermont Air National Guard now up on their training flights brings us mixed emotions. They are a reminder of that day when the blue skies were so very quiet for a catastrophic reason, feeling fortunate that we have these brave and capable people in our small corner of the world, but ultimately sad that their skills still need to be put to use so often. It may now be 20 years ago but that day, and the emotions it drives right up to the surface, will never be forgotten by us. Even living in our "safe" place.
Lisa and Mark Burns
